Knox County Sheriff’s Office K9 Juri has received a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to
a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. The vest was
sponsored by Lincolnwood Training Club for German Shepherd Dogs and embroidered with
the sentiment “Gifted by Lincolnwood Training Club for German Shepherds”.

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a 501c(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.
provided over 3,400 protective vests in 50 states, through private and corporate donations,
at a value of $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 $950.00. Each vest
has a value between $1,744 – $2,283, and 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 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.