PORTSMOUTH, Va. — Canyon is one of the newest members of the Portsmouth Mounted Patrol Unit, who is changing the community one gallop at a time.
Canyon was first brought to the unit after the team was retiring one of their horses.
After searching online, officers found Canyon and decided to bring him on board.
Officer Melissa Moore, Mounted Patrol Police Officer, tells us when Canyon first arrived, he was a bit shy.
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"First he was nervous, obviously, when we got him off the trailer. I think it was a lot of him being in a quiet area and him coming here to the city and you know, being a whole new area," said Moore.
But, after meeting the other horses, he quickly adapted to the environment. Officers began to observe Canyon, and ruled that he would be a good candidate for the patrol team.
Officer Moore, described Canyon as a quiet and calm horse who wasn't frightened very easily.
Once she realized his potential, she immediately began training him to become a patrol horse.
As the newest member of the team, Canyon's duties include meeting new people, attending events and patrolling the neighborhood.
The unit is extremely excited to have Canyon on the team. His proven social and patrolling skills have displayed the virtues of the unit.
Canyon is proving that there is positive change happening in the Portsmouth community.
And Officer Moore tells us that having Canyon in the community will allow residents to meet him and interact with the unit.
"There's people who have never even pet a horse before, and they get the opportunity to pet a horse or see them do great things in the community."There's people who have never even pet a horse before, and they get the opportunity to pet a horse or see them do great things in the community," said Moore.
The Mounted Patrol stables are also open and free to the public, for more information and visitation hours click here.
