JASPER — Indiana State Police K9 Leo has been equipped with a new, custom-fitted bullet- and stab-protective vest, courtesy of a charitable donation from the national non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc.
According to Sergeant John Davis, Public Information Officer for the Indiana State Police Jasper District, K9 Leo’s protective vest was sponsored by the Virginia L. Stoner Huguenard Endowment Fund of Corunna, Indiana. The vest is proudly embroidered with the sentiment, “In memory of Virginia L. Stoner Huguenard.”
Lifesaving Protection for K9 Officers
The protective body armor provided to K9 Leo is custom-fitted, U.S.-manufactured, and certified by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), offering critical protection against both ballistic and stab threats.
Established in 2009, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) charity dedicated to supplying protective vests and assistance to law enforcement and related agency dogs throughout the United States. Since its inception, the organization has distributed more than 6,677 vests valued at $6.9 million across all 50 states, relying entirely on private and corporate donations.
The organization’s grant program is open to active, certified law enforcement dogs that are at least 20 months old, as well as K9s whose current vests are expiring. An estimated 30,000 law enforcement K9s currently serve across the nation.
Supporting the Program
Each custom vest carries a value of $1,800, weighs between four and five pounds, and includes a five-year warranty. While Vested Interest in K9s accepts tax-deductible contributions of any amount, a single donation of $1,050 sponsors an entire vest.
Community members interested in volunteering, learning more, or making a donation can visit www.vik9s.org, call (508) 824-6978, or mail contributions to P.O. Box 9, East Taunton, MA 02718.
