By Jupiter Tide Staff
JUNO BEACH — K9 Patrick of the Juno Beach Police Department is now wearing donated body armor.
The town announced Oct. 26 that Patrick received a vest that protects against bullets and stabbing. Vested Interest in K9s, a nonprofit based in East Taunton, Massachusetts, donated it. The vest is embroidered with "Born to Love – Trained to Serve – Loyal Always."
The charity says its vests are made in the U.S., fitted to each dog and certified by the National Institute of Justice. It has given more than 6,677 vests worth about $6.9 million to police dogs in all 50 states since it started in 2009. Dogs qualify if they are at least 20 months old and certified and working with a law enforcement or related agency. Dogs whose vests have expired can also apply.
The charity takes tax-deductible donations of any amount through its website, vik9s.org.
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