LAKE GEORGE, Colo. — Two Colorado K9s are getting bullet and stab protective vests thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife(CPW) K9 Samson's vest is sponsored by Troy DeCoux and friends of Pflugerville, Texas and will be embroidered with the sentiment “Born to Love -Trained to Serve-Loyal Always”.
Samson, a Belgian Malinois, is certified with the National Police Canine Association for handler protection, fugitive apprehension and various wildlife species odor detection, is working hard to help protect Colorado’s natural resources and all of those who enjoy them. Samson's handler, Ian Petkash, is the wildlife officer for the Lake George District.
K9 Kato of the Parker Police Department's vest is sponsored by NaturVet and will be embroidered with the sentiment “This gift of protection provided by NaturVet”.
Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a Massachusetts-based 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 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.
The donation to provide one protective vest for a law enforcement K9 is $950. Since its inception, more than 3,400 protective vests have been provided in 50 states, through private and corporate donations, at a value of $5.7 million.
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