The United States Park Police (USPP) Horse Mounted Patrol recently presented an Award of Excellence to Virginia Tech’s Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center “for the truly exceptional veterinary services received from this nationally-recognized equine health care facility.”

The award further states that, “for decades, this premier equine hospital has provided both intensive and critical equine health care services for the U.S. Park Police horses.”

As a dedicated agency within the U.S. Department of Interior’s National Park Service, the USPP Horse Mounted Patrol (HMP) is one of the oldest law enforcement equestrian units in the country. Initially established with just one rented horse in 1934, the purpose and mission of the mounted patrol has expanded from patrolling local equestrian trails to performing high-level security details for presidential inaugurations, escorting foreign dignitaries during diplomatic events, and providing crowd control during demonstrations that involve thousands of participants.

The fully-staffed HMP also maintains a visible daily presence in the nation’s capital, protecting monuments on the National Mall and patrolling Rock Creek Park’s 1,700 acres