Pflugerville K9s Receive Donated Body Armor

PFLUGERVILLE, TX — Police K9s Isa, Lubo and Tymo will be able to patrol the streets with greater peace of mind thanks to donations of bullet and stab protective vests, officials said on Monday.

The nonprofit Vested Interest in K9s Inc. has donated the potentially life-saving armor, each piece individually and specially sponsored. K9 Isa’s vest was sponsored by Ruth Knoll of Kalua Kona, HI and embroidered with the sentiment “In memory of Frosty.” K9 Lubo’s vest was sponsored by Kristen Emmett of Southampton, MA and embroidered with the sentiment “Born to Love- Trained to Serve- Loyal Always.” And K9 Tymo’s vest was sponsored by Kathleen Clark of West Burke, VT and embroidered with the words: "Honoring Those Who Served and Sacrificed.”

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a 501 c(3) charity located in East Taunton, MA with a mission of providing bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the U.S. The non-profit was established in 2009 to assist law enforcement agencies with this potentially life-saving body armor for their four-legged K9 officers.

Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provided over 3,300 protective vests in 50 states, through private and corporate donations, at a value of $5.7 million, according to the Pflugerville Police Department.

The program is open to dogs actively employed in the U.S. with law enforcement or related agencies who are certified and at least 20 months of age. New K9 graduates, as well as K9s with expired vests, are eligible to participate.

The donation to provide one protective vest for a law enforcement K9 is $950.00. Each vest has a value between $1,744-$2,283, and a five-year warranty and an average weight of 4-5 lbs. There is an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K9s throughout the U.S.

For more information or to learn about volunteer opportunities, call 508-824-6978. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provides information, lists events, and accepts tax-deductible donations of any denomination at www.vik9s.org or mailed to P.O. Box 9 East Taunton, MA 02718.