Animal Heroes

Police K-9 Receives New Body Armor Thanks to Alexandria Couple

Taz with his new protective vest (Photo courtesy Alexandria Police Department)

ALEXANDRIA, VA – Taz, a German Shepherd, is a special member of the Alexandria Police Department‘s K-9 Unit. Recently, Chuck and Cathy Rey sponsored the effort to get Taz some new body armor.

The Alexandria couple donated to the non-profit Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., founded in 2009. The organization’s mission, according to their website, is “to provide bullet and stab-protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the country.”

Taz’s vest, as with all others, is custom fitted and made in the United States. The vests are certified by the National Institute of Justice.

The vest-making program is open to U.S. dogs that are at least 20 months old and actively employed and certified with law enforcement or related agencies. K-9s with expired vests are also eligible to participate. There are an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K-9s nationwide.

Partners: Taz and K-9 Officer Kyle Russell (Photo courtesy Alexandria Police Department)

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. accepts tax-deductible contributions in any amount, while a single donation of $960 will sponsor one vest.

Interested in donating? Visit www.vik9s.org. You can also mail your contribution to P.O. Box 9, East Taunton, MA 02718.For more information, or to learn about volunteer opportunities, call 508-824-6978.

ICYMI: Alexandria Living Legend James Henson Receives Official Portrait During Parade

 

Kevin Dauray

Kevin is Publisher's Assistant with The Zebra Press. He has been working for Alexandria's "Good News" newspaper since 2019. A graduate of George Mason University, he earned a bachelor's in English with a concentration in Creative Writing. He also studied at the Columbia School of Broadcasting and holds a master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Marymount University. He is an alumnus of T.C. Williams High School. Go Titans!

Related Articles

Back to top button