White County Public Safety K9s Leigha and Mae are better protected in the line of duty now, thanks to a charitable donation from a national nonprofit.
Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. recently donated bullet and stab protective vests to the K9s. The $1800 used to buy the vests was raised through a fundraiser hosted by Brittany Piccola of Watchung, New Jersey.
Both vests are embroidered with the sentiment “In honor of Nancy Plis.”
Leigha and Mae are trained in Search and Rescue (SAR). Leigha is a Boxer/Shepherd mix and has been with White County since 2018. She is 7 years old and has worked with SAR for 6 years. Mae is 1 and a half years old. She is a German Shepherd and gained her certification in March.
Both K9s are certified in Tracking and Trailing through Custom Canine. As SAR K9s, they gain the same certification and train alongside law enforcement K9s.
About Vested Interest
The agency that donated the vests to White County’s SAR K9 team began operating in 2009. Vested Interest in K9s is a 501(c)(3) charity whose mission is to provide protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States. This potentially lifesaving body armor for four-legged K9 officers is made in the U.S., custom-fitted, and NIJ certified.
Since its inception, the organization has donated nearly $7 million worth of vests – over 5,100 of them – to K9s in all 50 states. The donations are made possible through private and corporate donations.
The program is open to dogs in the U.S. that are at least 20 months old and actively employed and certified with law enforcement or related agencies. K9s with expired vests are also eligible.
The vests weigh an average of 4-5 pounds, and come with a five-year warranty. Each vest costs $985, but Vested Interest in K9s accepts tax-deductible contributions in any amount.
For more information on volunteer opportunities or to donate, please call 508-824-6978 or visit Vested Interest in K9s online at www.vik9s.org. Contributions may also be mailed to P.O. Box 9, East Taunton, MA 02718.
