Albany-Dougherty Drug Unit K9 officer receives vest

ALBANY — Albany/Dougherty Drug Unit K9 Officer “Jax” has received a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from nonprofit organization Vested Interest in K9s Inc. K9 Jax’s vest was sponsored by Joan Magnani of Brooklyn, N.Y., and is embroidered with the slogan “Honoring those who served and sacrificed.”

Vested Interest in K9s Inc., which was established in 2009, is a 501(c)(3) charity 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. This potentially lifesaving body armor for four-legged K9 officers is U.S.-made, custom-fitted, and NIJ-certified. Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s Inc. has provided more than 4,033 vests to K9s in all 50 states at a value of $6.9 million, made possible by private and corporate donations.

The program is open to U.S. dogs at least 20 months old and actively employed and certified with law enforcement or related agencies. K9s with expired vests are also eligible to participate. There are an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K9s throughout the United States.

Vested Interest in K9s accepts tax-deductible contributions in any amount, while a single donation of $960 will sponsor one vest. Each vest has a value of $1,744-$2,283, weighs an average of 4-5 pounds, and comes with a five-year warranty.

For more information, or to learn about volunteer opportunities, call (508) 824-6978. Vested Interest in K9s provides information, lists events, and accepts donations at www.vik9s.org.

Special Photo: ADDU