Three K9 dogs to receive life saving ballistic vests

PRESS RELEASE
April 19, 2014

Corporal Whiting and Bak
Corporal Whiting and Bak
Sergeant Schuckers and Falcos
Sergeant Schuckers and Falcos
Sergeant Craine and Cio
Sergeant Craine and Cio

GARFIELD COUNTY, Colo. – Recently over $10,000 was donated to equip law enforcement dogs with ballistic vests in nine different states.

Bak, Falcos and Cio (pictured below) of the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office in Colorado will be receiving bullet and stab protective vests thanks to the efforts of Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. a Massachusetts based nonprofit organization and The Petco Foundation. The nonprofit was the beneficiary of the Petco Foundation’s fundraising efforts through the “Helping Heroes” campaign that raised $10,687.00. The fourteen K9 vest recipients are located in the states of CO, IL, MD, OH, PA, NM, TX, WA, WV.

The Petco Foundation has served as a voice for companion animals across the country since 1999. Each year, they assist animal-welfare organizations find lifelong, loving homes for millions of orphaned pets, as well as fund spay and neuter efforts, animal assisted therapy programs and humane education.

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a 501c (3) all volunteer charity located in East Taunton, MA. Their mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests for law enforcement dogs throughout the United States. Each vest costs $950.00 and has a 5 year warranty. The nonprofit was established in 2009 to assist law enforcement agencies with this potentially lifesaving body armor for their four legged K9 Officers. Since their inception in August of 2009, through private and corporate sponsorships, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. has provided over 930 law enforcement dogs with protective vests. Over $880,000 in K9 vests have been donated in 39 states including Alaska and Hawaii.

The organization orders the Armor Express vests made in Central Lakes, MI exclusively from distributor Regency Police Supply in Hyannis, MA. That organization also does the custom embroidery on the body armor.

New K9 graduates as well as K9’s with expired vests are eligible to apply for the ballistic vests.

These highly trained dogs not only protect their fellow Officers, but they become a part of each Deputy’s home family too. The dogs work when on duty and relax when off duty. But they are always alert and ever vigilant and often take the point when investigating a bad or unknown incident. These vests will protect our four legged officers that accompany and help our Deputies each day to make our communities safer.
Corporal Whiting, Sergeant Schuckers and Sergeant Craine are glad to know that organizations such as Vested Interest in K9’s, Inc. are around to help protect the partners that serve and protect each of us and to provide an opportunity for Law Enforcement Officers everywhere to be able to keep their four legged K9 Officers safer.

For more information about Vested Interest in K9’s visit: www.vik9s.org or call 508-824-6978.

Donations may be made by mail to: Vested Interest in K9s, P.O. Box 9, East Taunton, MA 02718 or via the website.

You can also find them on facebook: www.facebook.com/vik9s

No further information will be released.

The mission of the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office is to provide solutions for the people by utilizing and employing strong morals, good character, untarnished integrity, technical knowledge and fiscal responsibility through professional, ethical and equitable conduct.