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Submitted by Quinault Indian Nation

Quinault Nation Police Department’s K9 Jeb will receive a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. K9 Jeb’s vest is sponsored by Shana Greene of Newcastle, WA and will be embroidered with the sentiment “Four paws and one courageous heart.” Delivery is expected within eight to ten weeks.

k9 body armor
K9 Jeb is a 4-year-old English Springer Spaniel. Jeb is certified in narcotics and is assigned to Corporal Tyler Warne. Corporal Warne has been a Handler with the Quinault Indian Nation Police Department since April 2016. Photo courtesy: Quinault Indian Nation.

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) charity located in East Taunton, MA 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.

Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. has provided over 2,300 protective vests, in 50 states, through private and corporate donations, at a cost of over $1.9 million. All vests are custom made in the USA by Armor Express in Central Lake, MI.

k9 body armor
K9 Jeb was purchased from Scotland in 2012 and received his training in Arizona and Las Vegas. K9 Jeb likes playing hide and seek, playing ball, and celebrating his finds. He has a strong dislike for suspects who carry drugs, guns, and bullies. Photo courtesy: Quinault Indian Nation.

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 $1,050. Each vest has a value between $1,795 – $2,234 and a five-year warranty, and an average weight of 4-5 pounds. There is an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K9s throughout the United States.

For more information or to learn about volunteer opportunities, please call 508-824-6978. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provides information, lists events, and accepts tax-deductible donations of any denomination at www.vik9s.org or mailed to P.O. Box 9 East Taunton, MA 02718.

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