Mounted Patrol Unit Debuts Newest Member

                                                                                                                        NEWS RELEASE #: 17-067 - MARCH 9, 2017

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Captain John Jernigan, Colonel Kurt A. Hoffman, LEO, Donor Dr. Katherine Standley, Sergeant Chris Laster, and Lieutenant Ryan Brown.

The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office Mounted Patrol Unit is debuting their newest horse, LEO.

LEO is a 13-year-old Hanoverian Gelding who was donated to the agency in August 2016 by Dr. Katherine Standley, a neurologist from Tampa, in preparation of the retirement of two other horses from the unit. He slowly began working with the sheriff's office mounted patrol riders and in no time, became a natural fit due to his calm demeanor and easy-going disposition. LEO quietly hit the streets during the holiday season to assist at local malls and during pub crawls and special events on Siesta Key. Since joining the unit, LEO has participated in emergency response training in Orlando and recently assisted with the search for a missing man on Lido Key.

"Grateful is an understatement," explained Mounted Patrol Sergeant Chris Laster. "It is thanks to huge community support and donors that we are able to keep our unit so well staffed, trained, and equipped with amazing animals. In the few short months that LEO has been on board, he has made great strides and proven he will be a remarkable addition to our unit and more importantly, a great resource in service to the citizens of Sarasota County."

The sheriff's office will document LEO's journey as a member of the Mounted Patrol Unit on their social media channels by posting frequent updates known as "The Life Of LEO: Straight from the Horse's Mouth." Photos, videos and other content will be posted to the agency's Facebook and Instagram accounts.