October 19, 2021

20-year-old horse retires from IMPD to serve a new purpose

After his retirement from the IMPD Mounted Patrol, Cody will move to Amitola Care Farm, a nature-based wellness center in Mooresville. - Provided by IMPD

After his retirement from the IMPD Mounted Patrol, Cody will move to Amitola Care Farm, a nature-based wellness center in Mooresville.

Provided by IMPD

Indianapolis police are saying goodbye to a longtime member of  the department's mounted patrol.

Cody’s 16-year career with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Mounted Patrol Unit ends Tuesday afternoon with a celebration on Monument Circle.

Cody will move to Amitola Care Farm, a nature-based wellness center in Mooresville, founded in 2019 by Katie Wyatt.

“Amitola is a place where women and youth who have experienced abuse, mental health crises, grief or loss can come to heal and find peace through self care programs and interactions with donkeys and horses, which are incredibly loving, emotionally intelligent animals,” Wyatt said.

When Wyatt heard that IMPD Mounted Patrol Unit Sgt. Tyneka Sperry was seeking a retirement home for 20-year-old Cody, she jumped at the chance to offer him a home and a role at Amitola.

“Cody will be a perfect fit at this special farm,” Sperry said. “When we go to an urban neighborhood, especially ones that have seen a lot of violence, I’ve seen how kids react to him, with curiosity and delight. Many of these kids may never have seen a horse before. He’s a peacemaker at heart.”

The public is invited to the retirement party, set for 1 p.m. in the south spoke of Monument Circle. Cody will take one last lap around the monument and enjoy a special treat before being unsaddled and handed off to Wyatt. 

Contact WFYI Morning Edition newscaster and reporter Taylor Bennett at tbennett@wfyi.org. Follow on Twitter: @TaylorB2213.

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