Max and Jogy, two K-9 officers with the ΒιΆΉΣ³»΄«Γ½ Police Department, are safer thanks to a donation by Canine Wounded Heroes.
The nonprofit donated to ΒιΆΉΣ³»΄«Γ½PD two custom-built canine tactical vests, which can be used to protect the dogs from an attack while they are working.
The vests were produced by K9 Tactical Gear. The two companies work together to raise funds for the thousand-dollar K-9 vests and to equip agencies around the country with them at low to no cost.
Kim Kapes, the director of the local refuge In Harmony With Nature Animal Haven and a member of the board for Canine Wounded Heroes, was the person who made it all happen for ΒιΆΉΣ³»΄«Γ½PD.
βOur K-9 officers deserve the same level of protection and care that our human officers receive,β Kapes said.
Though the K-9 officers are not typically put in life or death situations, itβs better to have tools like the vests and not need them than to not have them in the case of an emergency.
βThe vests are a great tool for our agency,β said ΒιΆΉΣ³»΄«Γ½PD K-9 Trainer Corporal Chuck Reising. βThe dogs are an important part of our team, and thanks to Kim and Canine Wounded Heroes, they are now better protected.β
Next up are two more vests for ΒιΆΉΣ³»΄«Γ½PDβs other K-9s, Samson and Justice. Their vests also will be donated by Canine Wounded Heroes and were ordered this week.
To learn more about Canine Wounded Heroes or to donate, visit http://www.caninewoundedheroes.org/index.php.
An event next month also will help to raise funds for ΒιΆΉΣ³»΄«Γ½PD K-9.
Delta Delta Delta and Sigma Chi are teaming up for a kickball fundraiser. The April 12th event, which will be held at Tri Delta and Lake Claire, will include food, games and dogs, with all proceeds going to ΒιΆΉΣ³»΄«Γ½PDβs K-9 fund.
Learn more and donate to the cause at https://www.gofundme.com/ucfpdk9.