Keene, N.H. --The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is pleased to announce thatK9 Ruby and Conservation Officer Handler William Boudreau, of the NH Fish and Game Department Law Enforcement Division, will be receiving a bullet and stab protective vest. This is possible because of the efforts of Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., a Massachusetts based non-profit organization and Maine resident Madeleine Hamersley.
Mrs. Hamersley, 83, of Sorrento, ME, a former New York Police Officer and lifelong animal lover, read an article in a local newspaper about a police dog in her area that was to be outfitted with a bullet and stab protective vest through Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. She contacted the organization's founder, Sandy Marcal, to pledge a donation for a K9 vest to a dog within her area. Mrs. Hamersley enjoyed a meet and greet with Trooper Christopher Smith and his K9 partner, Winger, from Maine State Police, just two days after the donation of the vest was made. The vest was donated in memory of her father "Ralph Hellum". She was so impressed with K9 Winger that she contacted Marcal to seek out additional dogs in need of vests, as a result Mrs. Hamersley has selected 7 additional K9's as vest recipients nationwide in memory of beloved family members. The vest recipients are K9 Foster of the Maine State Police, K9 Ruby of the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, K9 Vader of Colonie New York Police Department, K9's Vegas, Colt and Nero from the North Huntingdon Township Police Department in Pennsylvania and K9 Rek of the Laurel Police Department in Maryland.
Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a 501c (3) all volunteer charity located in East Taunton, MA whose mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests for law enforcement dogs throughout the United States. Each vest is valued at $950.00. The nonprofit was established in 2009 to assist law enforcement agencies with this potentially lifesaving body armor for their four legged K9 Officers. Through private and corporate sponsorships, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., has provided over 437 law enforcement dogs with protective vests since their inception in August of 2009. Over $415,000 in K9 vests have been donated in 37 states including Alaska and Hawaii.
The organization orders the Armor Express vests made in Central Lakes, MI exclusively from distributor Regency Police Supply in Hyannis, MA who also does the custom embroidery on the body armor.
New K9 graduates, as well as K9's with expired vests, are eligible to apply for the ballistic vests.
- For more information visit vik9s.org or call 508-824-6978. - Donations by mail to Vested Interest in K9s P.O. Box 9 East Taunton, MA 02718 or via the website. - If you would like to learn more or help support the Fish and Game Department Conservation Canines through the Wildlife Heritage Foundation of New Hampshire please visit our website at wildnh.com- Taken from the NH Fish and Game Website