Oro Valley’s K9 Risu Gets New Protective Vest
Great news for the Oro Valley Police Department’s K9 unit! K9 Risu now has a bullet and stab protective vest, thanks to a generous donation from the non-profit, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. This special vest was sponsored by Terri Hendricks from Tucson, AZ, and is embroidered with a heartfelt message: “In honor of Gene and Marvin Evans.”
Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a charity founded in 2009, dedicated to providing protective vests and support to police dogs across the U.S. These custom-fitted, American-made vests are NIJ certified and offer potentially lifesaving armor to our four-legged officers. Since starting up, the organization has supplied over 4,349 vests to K9s nationwide, valued at $6.9 million, all through generous private and corporate donations.
To qualify for the program, U.S. law enforcement dogs must be at least 20 months old and certified on active duty. K9s with expired vests can also apply. With around 30,000 law enforcement K9s in the U.S., the need is significant.
Interested in helping out? Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. accepts tax-deductible donations in any amount. A contribution of $960 sponsors one vest, which is valued between $1,744 and $2,283, weighs about 4-5 pounds, and carries a five-year warranty. For more details, or to explore volunteer opportunities, you can call them at 508-824-6978. Check out their website at www.vik9s.org for more information, event listings, and donation options. If you prefer mailing a donation, send it to P.O. Box 9, East Taunton, MA 02718.
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