NEWPORT, OR — A Sand Springs woman has helped protect a four-legged law enforcement officer serving more than 1,800 miles away.
Sharon Parker of Sand Springs sponsored a new bullet- and stab-protective vest for K9 Sly of the Newport Police Department in Oregon. The vest was donated through Vested Interest in K9s, a national nonprofit dedicated to protecting law enforcement dogs.
The custom-fitted vest bears the inscription, “Honoring those who served and sacrificed.”
According to KATU Channel 2 in Portland, the Newport Police Department recently announced that Sly had received the protective gear. The vest was made in the United States and contains ballistic panels certified by the National Institute of Justice.
Vested Interest in K9s is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2009. Its mission is to provide bullet- and stabprotective vests and other assistance to dogs working with law enforcement and related agencies throughout the country.
The organization’s custom-built ballistic vests are designed to provide protection while allowing police dogs to move comfortably while working. Each vest includes a breathable mesh liner, adjustable lacing, a heavyduty zipper, a control handle and rings for attaching short or long leads.
The vests are custom-fitted to provide coverage for a dog’s vital organs without unnecessarily restricting its mobility.
Since its founding, Vested Interest in K9s has donated more than 6,631 ballistic vests to working dogs. The organization has also provided 3,300 opioid-reversal kits, more than $641,000 in medical insurance premiums and more than $186,000 in canine first-aid kits.
Its other contributions have included training seminars, three Chevrolet Tahoes customized for K9 units and a $62,000 advanced canine medical training simulator.
The nonprofit’s programs are supported through individual contributions, grants and fundraising events.
Parker’s sponsorship means K9 Sly can continue serving the Newport community with an added layer of protection. A gift from Sand Springs that crossed several state lines to help keep a police dog safe.