SHENANDOAH COUNTY, VA (ROCKTOWN NOW) — Shenandoah County Sheriff’s Office K9, Axel, will receive a bullet and stab protective vest from a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. Axel’s vest is sponsored by John and Molly Shirk of Redmond, WA and will be embroidered with the sentiment “This gift of protection provided by Vested Interest in K9s, Inc.”.

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. 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 K9 officers is U.S. made, custom fitted, and National Institue of Justice certified.

Since being established in 2009, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. has provided over 5,514 vests to K9s in all 50 states at a value of $6.9 million, made possible by both private and corporate donations.

The program is open to actively employed and certified with law enforcement dogs that are at least 20 months old. K9s with expired vests are also eligible to participate. There are an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K9s throughout the United States.