Glendale Heights, IL – A beloved K9 officer serving with the Glendale Heights Police Department is set to receive a new layer of protection thanks to a charitable donation made this week.
According to a statement from the Glendale Heights Police Department, K9 Ivy will soon be fitted with a custom, bullet- and stab-resistant protective vest provided by Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to supporting law enforcement dogs nationwide. Ivy’s new vest, expected to arrive within ten weeks, will be embroidered with the message, “In memory of Carol Crate,” honoring the donor’s request.
Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. was founded in 2009 and has since provided more than 6,120 vests, valued at $6.9 million, to police dogs in all 50 states, according to the organization. The body armor is made in the U.S., custom-fitted, and certified by the National Institute of Justice. The organization’s mission is to protect law enforcement dogs with lifesaving body armor funded through both private and corporate contributions.
The program is open to U.S. K9s at least 20 months old who are actively employed and certified with law enforcement or related agencies. K9s with expired vests may also be eligible for new equipment. There are an estimated 30,000 police K9s working across the country.
Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. accepts tax-deductible donations of any amount, with a $1,050 donation sponsoring one vest. Each vest has an approximate value of $1,800, weighs 4-5 lbs., and comes with a five-year warranty. For more details or to donate, supporters can visit www.vik9s.org.
For more information about Glendale Heights Police Department’s K9 program, the department can be reached at 630-260-6070.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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