Swampscott Police K9 Sora Awarded 'Heroes' Health Care Grant

SWAMPSCOTT, MA — Swampscott's police canine Sora is the lone Massachusetts police comfort dog to be awarded a "Healthcare for K9 Heroes" insurance grant to help offset veterinary costs for 2024.

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., a Taunton nonprofit that previously awarded the Swampscott Police Department a protective vest for Sora, chose Swampscott as one of 17 departments across the country to get the insurance supplement through Trupanion.

The "Healthcare for K9 Heroes" grant is awarded to departments that have the financial burden of raising funds to support their K9 unit, which have no more than three K9s, and which have previously been awarded a vest through Vested Interest in K9s, Inc.

Law enforcement dogs ages 2 through 7 are eligible. The insurance covers illnesses, injuries — including those sustained in the line of duty — diagnostic testing and therapies. The plan allows the freedom to use any licensed veterinarian, specialty center, or emergency hospital in the United States.

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. has provided over 5,514 law enforcement dogs with U.S.-made, custom-fitted, NIJ-certified bullet and stab-protective vests in 50 states, at a value of over $6.9 million dollars.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)