ST. MARYS — St. Mary’s Police Department’s K9 “Nando” has received a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s Inc.

K9 “Nando’s” vest is sponsored by an anonymous donor and embroidered with the sentiment “Protecting our community.” K9 “Nando’s” handler is Sgt. Mike Shaffer.

Vested Interest in K9s Inc. is a 501c (3) charity located in East Taunton, Mass., 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. The nonprofit was established in 2009 to assist law enforcement agencies with this potentially life saving body armor for their four-legged K9 officers. Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s Inc. provided over 2,400 protective vests, in 50 states, through private and corporate donations, at a cost of over $1.9 million. All vests are custom made in the USA by Armor Express in Central Lake, Mich.

The program is open to dogs actively employed in the U.S. with law enforcement or related agencies who are certified and at least 20 months of age. New K9 graduates, as well as K9s with expired vests, are eligible to participate.

The donation to provide one protective vest for a law enforcement K9 is $1,050. Each vest has a value between $1,795 – $2,234 and a five-year warranty, and an average weight of 4-5 lbs. There are an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K9s throughout the United States.