Nash County Sheriff’s Office K9’s Dako & Dino have received bullet and stab protective vests thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc.
K9 Dako’s vest was sponsored by an anonymous sponsor and embroidered with the sentiment “This gift of protection provided by Vested Interest in K9s, Inc.”.
K9 Dino’s vest was sponsored by Michelle and John Egan of Colorado Springs, CO and embroidered with the sentiment “Born to Love-Trained to Serve- Loyal Always”.
Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a 501c(3) charity located in East Taunton, MA whose mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States. The non-profit was established in 2009 to assist law enforcement agencies with this potentially lifesaving body armor for their four-legged K9 officers. Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provided over 2,700 protective vests in 50 states, through private and corporate donations, at a cost of over 2.3 million dollars.
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 retail value between $1,744 – $2,283. There are an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K9s throughout the United States.
K9 Dino is three years old and has been partnered with Sergeant Josh Trull for the last 1-1/2 years. K9 Dino is trained strictly as a narcotics detection dog.
K9 Dako is four years old and has been partnered with Deputy David Walker for the last 3 years. Dako is trained in narcotics detection, tracking, apprehension, evidence detection, and handler protection.
