TAPD Officer Dina Bigham and K9 Eci received a new bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from a non-profit organization, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc.  This K9 vest is sponsored by Kevin and Christine Harbison of Satya Yoga and has been embroidered with the sentiment, "This gift of protection provided by the Harbison Family." 

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a 501c (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.

The non-profit was established in 2009 to assist law enforcement agencies with this potentially lifesaving body armor for their four-legged K9 officers. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provided over 3,300 protective vests in 50 states, through private and corporate donations, at a cost of over $5.7 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.  Each vest has a value between $1,744 – $2,283, a five-year warranty, and an average weight of 4-5 lbs. There is an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K9s throughout the United States.

For more information visit: Vested Interest in K9s, Inc.