Art Sale To Purchase Havoc's SWAT Vest a Success (Images)

What do you get when you combine a hair salon, an art sale, a police dog and his handler and a lot of people looking to make a difference?

You get a new high-end bullet-and-stab-proof Kevlar vest for a brave police dog.

This past Wednesday, held a fundraising art sale featuring paintings and art pieces by salon owner Anthony Vitale and photographs by salon manager Nicole Vecchi to help Massachusetts Vest-a-Dog, Inc. to purchase the vest for Havoc, the Burlington Police Department's K-9. 

Kathy Hinds, a volunteer with Vest-a-Dog said the Kevlar vest was designed to stop almost all types of bullets and can prevent stab wounds. The high-end protective equipment is also lighter than the more common vests used by police dogs and has more features, including the ability to set up a hoist, a spot for an infrared or pulsating light and can hold a camera. Each vest is specifically fitted to the dog and they come with a price tag of $2,400.

"These vests are specialized for SWAT dogs and are top of the line," Hinds said. "This vest would be the 17th of its kind in the state we helped purchase."

Havoc is a German Shepherd Dog born in Slovakia on April 9, 2009, and is certified in Patrol Duty (Obedience, Article Search, Evidence Recovery, Area Search, Tracking/Trailing, Building Search, Criminal Apprehension/Recall) and Narcotics Detection.

Officer Joe Papsedero, Havoc's handler, said he was very happy so many people were getting involved to help protect his four-legged partner.

"This is just fantastic," he told Patch before the art sale. "I'm very grateful. Massachusetts Vest-a-Dog has helped a lot of K-9 units in the area."

Papsedero explained that he spends most of every day with Havoc and the pair is always ready to respond whenever needed. They engage in some training every day and quite a bond has formed between the two and Papsedero said Havoc is a top of the line police dog.

"He's 100 percent, very solid." Papsedero said. "I see him more than my wife and kids and our family dog. I spend more time with Havoc than anyone else."

Despite the strong bond between them, if things go bad Papsedero said he would send Havoc into harms way if necessary to save a human life. Havoc, he said, would also do anything it took to protect him if the officer was in danger.

"He would put himself between me and danger," Papsedero said. "And as difficult as it would be, if I had to send him to save a human life, I would do it."

The dedication of Havoc to do what is necessary in the line of duty, even at his own risk, makes the new vest all that more important and necessary.

Papsedero added the team doesn't only work in Burlington. Because of the specialization of the team, they are in high demand when area police departments are in need of assistance. He said they routinely respond to Woburn, Wilmington, Stoneham, Lexington, Bedford, Billerica and even as far as Lowell. In fact, according to Stoneham Patch, Papsedero and Havoc who attempted to rob a gas station just this week.

The art and artists:

The art pieces up for sale (see pictures) by Vitale and Vecchi were a wide-variety of pieces.

Vitale said he went to a variety of art schools and has been an artist for years. He set up the salon to be part art gallery with the hopes of having events such as this week's fundraiser.

"I wanted to give back to the community" Vitale said, explaining that each year he makes a donation to the Burlington Food Pantry. "When this idea came across my desk it really hit me. I have an 11-year-old beagle that is having health problems and this cause hit me the right way. I thought it would be cool to try and get the vest to help the dog do his job safely. Police dogs and the risks they take are often overlooked."

Vechi said she has been taking photographs "pretty much since I could pick up a camera." She has not done many shows or sales to date, and was happy to have her work up for sale in support of Vest-a-Dog.

"This cause is great and very dear to my heart," she said. "My dad was a canine officer so this is just perfect."

Near the end of the art show, Papsedero, who was in attendance, said he thought the fundraiser was going very well.

"This has been fantastic," he said. "There was a great crowd and many very friendly people."

Fund Raised:

Today Florence Tambone, public relations manager for Anthony David Salon, said at first count the night was a big success. She said the event raised $550 in donations alone, not including the sale of art, donations in the mail or pledges. She said she is confident that when the proceeds for the ongoing art sale that is continuing through May the team will meet the $2,400 goal. Tambone said she will update all of us with the final total at the end of May.

To check out the art sale visit Anthony David Salon, 120 Cambridge St. Check them out online at anthonydavidburlington.com. For more information on Massachusetts Vest-a-Dog or to make a donation, visit their web site.

More information on the vest:

In a release Tambone explained more the benefits of the vest.

K-9 Havoc presently has a standard patrol bullet/stab-proof K9 vest, but due to his specialized tactical work, requires a K9 Storm bullet/stab-proof K9 vest – the vest’s ballistic panels are articulated and there is a stretch panel along the length of the vest, so the vest flexes better when the K9s move in all directions; the ballistic panels can be removed on an especially hot day; the vest can act as a harness and has extra strong D-rings, eliminating the need for a separate piece of equipment (harness); the vest is load-bearing,eliminating the need for a hoist sling; and should the K-9 be trained to use a dog camera, the vest can accommodate a camera mount.  Finally, K9 Storm vests are fitted like a glove to the K9/especially form-fitting, and are very light.