MECHANICSBURG, Pa. — Updated Nov. 12: K-9 units within the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections are now outfitted with new protective vests to enhance their safety while on the job.
The initiative, supported by the non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s Inc., aims to ensure that these four-legged officers receive the same level of protection as their human counterparts.
Sergeant Joe Wiseman, a canine handler with over seven years of experience working alongside his partner, Salem, emphasized the importance of these vests.
"It’s just that extra level of precaution, the same thing we get when we’re issued our vests as officers," Wiseman stated.
According to Captain Scott VanGorder, who oversees the department's drug interdiction unit, before this donation, K9 officers lacked adequate protective equipment.
“We have vests, we have equipment to keep the human officers safe, but our K9 partners didn’t have that same thing,” VanGorder said.
The newly introduced vests are bulletproof and stab-proof, as well as provide defense against blunt force trauma.
Each K9 officer was measured from head to tail to ensure a perfect fit for their customized protective gear, including room for adjustments as the dogs continue to grow.
All 24 dogs in the department received vests, including Wiseman’s partner in crime-fighting, Salem. The pair have been working together for more than seven years. Wiseman says the donation will ensure the pair continue to work together.
“[It’s] just that extra level of precaution, the same thing we get when we’re issued our vests as officers,” he stated.
Tanya Everett, a board member for Vested Interest said the donation to the department came from a private donor, which VanGorder says is a feat in itself as a single vest costs nearly $1,000.
“The fact that they outfitted 24 of our dogs all at one time, is a testament to how much they really care about our law enforcement officers, so it’s really a big deal that they’re able to do this,” VanGorder said.
Not only does the donation cater to the physical safety of these K-9 officers but it also highlights the bond between them and their handlers. VanGorder explained that these dogs often go home with their handlers at the end of the day, making their safety a shared responsibility.
“It’s like a member of your family. It’s like why wouldn’t you, if you could do anything to help them, yeah I mean it means everything,” Wiseman said.
VanGorder says in the future, as handlers and their K9s retire or more dogs are added to the pack, each will be outfitted with a protective vest, protecting partnership at all costs.
Previously: Twenty-four K9 officers with the Department of Corrections and Probation received bullet and stab protective vets thanks to a charitable donation.
The donated armor comes from the non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s Inc. The vests were embroidered with the sentiment "In memory of Kathy W. Coldewey."
K9s Baron, Bia, Glock, Dublin, Salem, Fredy, Razor, Nick, Buddy, Kliff, Max, Ozzy, Canon, Szabi, Lord, Mokey, Alex, Dollar, Cody, Edo, Ezra, Bobi, Barkley, and Sully will all benefit from the donation.
Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., established in 2009, is a charity whose mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vets and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States. The potentially life-saving body armor for four-legged K9 officers is U.S.-made, custom-fitted, and NIJ-certified.
Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. has provided over 5,707 vests to K9s in all 50 states, worth $6.9 million.
The program is open to U.S. dogs who are at least 20 months old and actively employed and certified with law enforcement or related agencies. K9s with expired vests are also eligible to participate.
Each vest has a value of $1,800.00, weighs an average of 4-5 lb., and comes with a five-year warranty.
To apply for and receive donated equipment, K9 handlers can visit this page.