The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC) has no problem with a little horseplay.
Except this horse is not playing around. Instead, it will continue a long tradition of community service, which is one of the mandates the RNC has shown throughout its history, with the addition of a new colleague.
The RNC added a new member to its ranks on Wednesday afternoon — Harvey, a six-year-old draft horse, born and raised in New Brunswick.
“We live so near and we enjoyed watching them so we thought we should have one, too … named Harvey,” Susan Patten said in making the presentation on behalf of A. Harvey and Co. Ltd.
“It was our pleasure to be part of this. We have watched these horses out our back window for years and we enjoy them,” she added.
Patten’s family has been a strong supporter of community in this province for more than five decades and this donation only affirms their support.
This addition gives the RNC mounted unit three horses in its ranks, joining Dobbin and Dr. Rich.
Harvey stands 16.2 hands high and weighs approximately 730 kilograms.
“The RNC is very grateful for this tremendous gift from Mrs. Susan Patten and the Patten family,” RNC Chief Joe Boland said.
“We appreciate the generosity and sense of community by all of our stakeholders every day. Partnerships with local organizations and business help us to make safer, healthier communities.”
Boland said Harvey will serve the community for the next 10 years in a variety of ways, but most of all would bring smiles and happiness to a lot of people.
“People don’t realize the impact horses have on people. We are going to partner with Stella Burry and Avalon Riders to introduce the horses to therapy treatment,” he said.
“This is what we are about. This is what we should be about.”
