The Indianapolis Metro Police Department (IMPD) bid farewell to one of its veteran officers – Cody the police horse.

Cody, who has served as one of the IMPD Mounted Patrol Units for 16 years, is retiring after more than a decade of crowd control and protection work alongside other police horses and trained mounted officers.

IMPD officers celebrated the occasion by giving Cody his favorite treat – apples and carrots. The veteran horse has been an important ambassador for the city and marched in countless parades.

“He’s a staple,” said IMPD Sgt. Tyneka Sperry. “He’s stable, confident, you can rely on him no matter what. He was our lesson horse the last couple of years, so it’s a really big loss for our unit, but it’s also wonderful that he’s going to such a great home and he deserves that after so many years of good service to us.”

Cody will spend his retirement at the Amitola Care Farm, a wellness center in Mooresville dedicated to helping women and children who are victims of sexual abuse. The center focuses on healing through interactions with animals and nature.

The center’s mission statement on their website reads: “Amitola Care Farm enhances the quality of life and self-worth for women and children impacted by trauma with the assistance of animals and transformational programs in nature.”

Sperry said that Cody is the perfect horse to provide therapy.

“Cody is a sweet and loving horse and his demeanor will be amazing for such a loving, caring way of doing therapy for kids and women,” Sperry told Fox59.

While Sperry is sad to see the horse go, she is confident he will continue to do a great job for the community.

“We look forward to watching him succeed where he’s going to be and happy that he’s going there … but (we’re) sad too,” she said.