Scottsdale Police horse, Aiden, has retired from police service after serving the community for 13 years. But even in retirement, the 20-year-old Percheron/Thoroughbred crossbreed will continue to help people in his new role as a therapy horse at Camelot Therapeutic Horsemanship.  

Aiden was brought to the Scottsdale Police Mounted Unit as a seven-year-old in June 2012. Before becoming a police horse, he was used in Hunter/Jumper competitions. The Mounted Unit veterinarian recommended Aiden to the police department based on his training, intelligence and athleticism. With his previous experience, Aiden quickly excelled in police training with the Mounted Unit and became a solid member of the herd.

Through his 13 years of service with his police officer partners, Aiden bravely patrolled the Old Town Scottsdale Entertainment District on weekend nights and visited with many community members across the city. He worked at various events in Scottsdale and surrounding cities, including the WM Phoenix Open, Super Bowl, and New Year’s Eve festivities in Old Town. He also attended police memorials and other ceremonial events. During his career, Aiden also worked at multiple protests and civil unrest demonstrations across the valley. He engaged with community members at Mounted Unit education demonstrations, neighborhood block parties, numerous school visits and even walked in several Parada del Sol parades. The officers who had the honor of partnering with Aiden over the years were Debbie Shuhandler, Aaron Bolin and Keegan DeShotel.

Aiden is now enjoying retirement as a therapy horse at Camelot Therapeutic Horsemanship. Aiden loves interacting with people, and this retirement gig is a perfect fit for him since he'll get to make lots of new friends. A perfect match was made through their program, and Aiden has been partnered with a retired police officer who attends lessons at Camelot. 

A stunning, gentle giant with a white coat, Aiden stands 18 hands tall at the withers, which is six feet tall at the top of the shoulder, and weighs about 1700 pounds. Aiden's silly antics and goofball personality around the police barn will be missed. He was always a very able and dependable partner for the officers who rode him. In his new home, he will continue to be of service and greatly loved by those he interacts with.