K9 BABS AWARDED “HEALTHCARE FOR K9 HEROES” GRANT

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a 501c (3) nationwide 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 is pleased to continue their “Healthcare for K9 Heroes” medical insurance program for 2023 which covers annual policy premiums.  Since 2016, the charity has donated over $351,646 towards medical reimbursement programs for self-funded K9 units.

The recipients for 2023 are: St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office, MO, K9 Babs; Oskaloosa Police Department, IA, K9 Rocky; South Londonderry Township Police Department, PA, K9 Freyja; Plaquemines Parish, LA, K9 Vader; Miami Township Police Department, OH, K9 Paisley; Washington County Sheriff’s Office, PA, K9 Sammi; Poteet ISD Police Department, TX, K9 Ewa; Westland Police Department, MI, K9 Odin; Westland Police Department, MI, K9 Rio; DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office, IL, K9 Colt; Howard County Sheriff’s Office, MO, K9 Blitz; Lee County Sheriff’s Office, IL, K9 Nemo; City of Bradford Police Department, PA, K9 Duke; Ranburne Police Department, AL, K9 Fenne; Haralson County School District Police Department, GA, K9 Igor; Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, AR, K9 Scala; City of Titusville Police Department, PA, K9 Gerif; City of Clinton Police Department, TN, K9 Tonto; New Lothrop Police Department, MI, K9 Crusher; Rock Falls Police Department, IL, K9 Fahgo; Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office, IA, K9 Spike; Clayton County Sheriff’s Office, IA, K9 Rexo; Emmet County Sheriff’s Office, MI, K9 Divot; Cleburne County Sheriff’s Office, AR, K9 Drago; Oviedo Police Department, FL, K9 Lexington; Oviedo Police Department, FL, K9 Ranger; Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, PA, K9 Iron; Del Norte County Sheriff’s Office, CA, K9 Zuko; Iowa Falls Police Department, IA, K9 Kaiser; Northern Kentucky University Police Department, KY, K9 Athena; Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office, AL, K9 Agi; Edinburgh Police Department, IN, K9 Skye; Edinburgh Police Department, IN, K9 Kira; Hancock County Sheriff’s Office, IA, K9 Hola; Hazel Park Police Department, MI, K9 Rocky; Hazel Park Police Department, MI, K9 Apollo; Berlin Police Department, NJ,  K9 Clyde; Floyd County Sheriff’s Office, IA, K9 Sirius; Delaware County Sheriff’s Office, IA, K9 Eclipse; City of New Kensington Police Department, PA, K9 Deuce; City of New Kensington, PA, K9 Max; Raceland Police Department, KY, K9 Blitz; Greenville Police Department, IL, K9 Noro; Wright County Sheriff’s Office, IA, K9 Brit; York County Regional Police Department, PA, K9 Nova; Mahnomen County Sheriff’s Office, MN, K9 Odin; Sebring Police Department, OH, K9 Radar

The “Healthcare for K9 Heroes” grant is awarded to departments which have the financial burden of raising funds to support their K9 unit, which have no more than three K9s, and which have previously been awarded a vest through Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. Law enforcement dogs ages two through seven are eligible. The annual medical reimbursement insurance policy, administered by Trupanion, will cover illnesses, injuries—including those sustained in the line of duty—diagnostic testing and therapies.  The plan allows the freedom to use any licensed veterinarian, specialty center, or emergency hospital in the United States.

Trupanion, a leader in medical insurance for cats and dogs, offers injury and illness coverage for working and service dogs – both on and off duty. For nearly two decades, Trupanion has given pet owners and working dog owners peace of mind so they can focus on their dog’s recovery, not financial stress. Trupanion is honored to support these brave K9 heroes and is committed to providing the highest value in medical insurance to help them receive the best veterinary care.

In addition to the healthcare reimbursement program, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. has provided over 5,289 law enforcement dogs with U.S. made, custom-fitted, NIJ certified bullet and stab-protective vests in 50 states, at a value of over $6.9 million dollars. For more information, please call 508-824-6978. Tax-deductible donations accepted via mail to: Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. P.O. Box 9 East Taunton, MA 02718 or via the website: www.vik9s.org.