Contact: media@bannerhealth.com

PHOENIX (Oct. 16, 2018) – Banner Health Special Operations K9s Bain, Dragon, Harry and Alex will receive bullet-and-stab protective vests thanks to a charitable donation from nonprofit organization, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. K9 Bain's vest is sponsored by Andrea Simon-Topoff of Tucson, AZ.
 
The security dogs, who are stationed at Banner – University Medical Center Phoenix and Banner Desert Medical Center, will wear vests embroidered with the sentiments, “In memory of K9 Ty, California City Police Department,” “In memory of K9 Jethro, Canton, OH Police Department,” and, “Born to Love-Trained to Serve-Loyal Always.” Delivery is expected within 8 to 10 weeks.
 
The donation to provide one protective vest for a law enforcement K9 is $950. Each vest has a value between $1,744 – $2,283, has a five-year warranty and weighs an average of four to five pounds.
 
There is an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K9s throughout the United States. 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.
 
Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a 501c (3) charity located in East Taunton, Massachusetts, 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 more than 3,100 protective vests in 50 states through private and corporate donations, at a value of $5.7 million dollars. For more information about Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. please call 508-824-6978. or visit www.vik9s.org.