SOUTH FULTON, Ga. — K9 Tir of the South Fulton Police Department received a bullet- and stab-protective vest through a charitable donation.
The equipment was provided by the nonprofit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. and sponsored by Carly Wolnitzek of the Wolnitzek Family Foundation.
Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a 501(c)(three) charity established in 2009 with a mission to provide assistance and protective gear to law enforcement dogs throughout the United States.
Since its inception, the organization has provided more than 6,513 vests to K9s in all 50 states, totaling a value of $6.9 million.
The new body armor provided to Tir is custom fitted, U.S.-made and certified by the National Institute of Justice. Each vest weighs between four and five pounds and has a value of $1,800.
The equipment also includes a five-year warranty.
Tir’s vest features the embroidered sentiment “Gifted by the Wolnitzek Family Foundation.”
Eligibility for the program is open to dogs in the United States that are at least 20 months old. The K9s must be actively employed and certified with law enforcement or related agencies to participate. The charity also provides vests for dogs with expired equipment.
There are an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K9s currently working across the country.
The program relies on both private and corporate donations to fund the protective equipment.
While the organization accepts tax-deductible contributions in any amount, a single donation of $1,050 sponsors one vest. Individuals interested in volunteering or donating can contact the charity online.
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