Illinois Couple Funds Protective Vest for Indiana State Police K9 Rich

MUNDELEIN, Ill. Heather and David Jans of Mundelein have funded a protective vest for Rich, a canine officer with the Indiana State Police. The couple sponsored the equipment through Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., a Massachusetts-based nonprofit that provides body armor for police dogs.

The vest is custom-fitted for Rich and bears the inscription, "This gift of protection provided by Heather and DJ." Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. was established in 2009 as a 501(c)(3) organization. The charity states its work includes providing equipment and other assistance to police dogs that work alongside human handlers.

Vests distributed by the organization are made in the United States and certified by the National Institute of Justice. Each unit weighs between 4 and 5 pounds and carries a five-year warranty.

Since its founding, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. has equipped more than 6,677 K9 officers with vests valued at $6.9 million. The program operates through private and corporate donations and has reached law enforcement agencies in all 50 states. The organization reports that roughly 30,000 law enforcement K9s serve communities across the country.

The program accepts applications for dogs that are at least 20 months old and actively employed and certified with law enforcement or related agencies. Dogs wearing expired vests also qualify for replacement equipment.

A single donation of $1,050 sponsors one complete vest, which the organization lists at an actual value of $1,800. Contributions can be made at www.vik9s.org, by calling (508) 824-6978, or by mailing to P.O. Box 9, East Taunton, MA 02718.