Houston BOMA Volunteers Help Train Houston’s Finest at HPD Mounted Patrol

Houston BOMA’s Community Outreach Committee and volunteers saddled up once again for one of our most unique volunteer events of the year, supporting the Houston Police Department Mounted Patrol Unit.

Each year, our members join HPD officers and their horses for a hands-on training session designed to help the animals practice staying calm and focused in high-stress environments. Volunteers play the role of protestors, waving signs, shouting, and creating noise to simulate real-life crowd scenarios. These exercises help the horses and their officers prepare for the kinds of situations they might encounter while patrolling major Houston events, from parades to protests.

In attendance was BOMA Bestie ("Bestie" for short), Houston BOMA’s sponsored horse, along with her partner, Sergeant Dobrucki. Houston BOMA began sponsoring HPD's Mounted Patrol in 2009, when the program faced the threat of losing funding, ensuring that these four-legged officers could continue serving our city. Bestie's name honors the BOMA BEST Sustainable Certification Program, inspired by Houston BOMA member 6400 Fannin, which was the first healthcare building in the nation to earn the certification.

The morning was filled with teamwork, laughter, and a shared sense of purpose. Volunteers enjoyed connecting with the officers, learning about the horses’ specialized training, and seeing firsthand how their efforts contribute to public safety.

Houston BOMA extends a heartfelt thank you to Pyramid Waterproofing for sponsoring this event, to the HPD Mounted Patrol Unit for their hospitality, and to all our dedicated volunteers who gave their time to make a difference.

View more photos from the event here.