Contact: Crystal Drake, Office of Strategic Communications
Brendan, a canine member of the Tuskegee University Police Department team, will be protected by a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. Brendan’s vest was sponsored by Gary Gerlacher, of Banshee's Pack in Melissa, Texas and will be embroidered with the sentiment “This gift of protection provided by Banshee's Pack.”
“We are grateful to Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. and Banshee’s Pack for helping to protect Brendan in his work as part of our community policy strategy,” said Darrius Jones, Assistant Chief of the Tuskegee University Police Department. “We look forward to outfitting Brendan with his new vest as he continues supporting our work to ensure that our campus is safe and secure for our faculty, staff and students, and visitors to our campus.”
The vest will arrive within the next ten weeks.
Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., established in 2009, is a 501(c)(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. This potentially lifesaving body armor for four-legged K9 officers is U.S. made, custom fitted, and National Institute of Justice (NIJ) certified. Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. has provided over 6,348 vests valued at $6.9 million to K9s in all 50 states, made possible by both private and corporate donations.
The program is open to U.S. dogs at least 20 months old, actively employed, and certified with law enforcement or related agencies. K9s with expired vests are also eligible to participate. There are an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K9s throughout the United States.
Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. accepts tax-deductible contributions in any amount, while a single donation of $1,050 will sponsor one vest. Each vest has a value of $1800.00, weighs an average of 4-5 lbs., and comes with a five-year warranty. 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 donations at
www.vik9s.org, or you may mail your contribution to P.O. Box 9, East Taunton, MA 02718.
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