Protective Vest Donated to Anamosa State Penitentiary K9 Bradley by Vested Interest in K9s, Inc.
Canine unit at Anamosa State Penitentiary receives donated protective gear.
A K9 officer at the Anamosa State Penitentiary has received a potentially lifesaving body armor vest, thanks to a charitable donation from the non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc.
K9 Bradley, who serves with the prison's law enforcement team, is one of over 6,000 K9s across the United States to receive a vest from Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. Since its founding in 2009, the organization has donated over $6.9 million worth of vests to K9s in all 50 states.
The vests provided by Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. are U.S. made, custom fitted, and National Institute of Justice certified. They are designed to protect K9s from bullet and stab wounds, enhancing their safety and operational capacity.
To be eligible for a vest, K9s must be at least 20 months old, actively employed, and certified with a law enforcement or related agency in the United States. K9s with expired vests are also eligible to participate, allowing for continued protection as equipment ages.
Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. operates through contributions, grants, and fundraising events. Individuals and corporations can donate directly to support the purchase of vests or sponsor specific K9 units. Donors can sponsor a vest for a specific K9, often with the option to have a personalized message embroidered on the vest.
Law enforcement agencies or related organizations can apply for a vest on behalf of their K9 through the organization’s website. Once a vest is sponsored and the application approved, the custom-fitted vest is delivered to the K9 unit, typically within a specified timeframe.
In addition to vests, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. also provides medical support and training resources to law enforcement K9 teams nationwide. Donors can contribute to programs providing medical insurance, NARCAN kits, first aid medical kits, and even training vehicles and simulators for K9 units.
Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) charity, and donations are tax-deductible. A single donation of $1,050 is enough to sponsor one vest for a K9 officer, ensuring their safety and well-being as they serve and protect their communities.
The photo of Anamosa State Penitentiary K9 Bradley is courtesy of the Iowa Department of Corrections. It is estimated that there are around 30,000 law enforcement K9s throughout the United States, making the work of organizations like Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. all the more vital.
- The news from KMCH in Iowa reports that Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., a national organization, has donated a custom-fitted, National Institute of Justice certified protective vest to the local K9 officer at Anamosa State Penitentiary, contributing to their home-and-garden of safety and operational capacity.
- In a sustainable-living effort, individuals and corporations can donate directly to Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., enabling the organization to continue providing protective vests to K9 officers, thus safeguarding their lives and enhancing local law enforcement teams' functionality across the states, including Iowa.
- Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. goes beyond vest donations, offering medical support, training resources, and even sponsoring various programs for law enforcement K9 teams across the United States, extending from Iowa to California, all working towards a common goal of ensuringthe well-being and success of K9 officers nationwide.
