MIDDLETOWN — Connecticut State Police’s K-9 Union will receive a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., The vest is sponsored by Beth DeGroat of Stafford. Union’s vest will be embroidered with the sentiment “In Dogs
We Trust, the DeGroat Family.”
K9 Union has been assigned to Trooper Christopher Porrini for two years and is currently working at Troop A in Southbury. K9 Union is a three-year-year-old German Shepard who is trained in all patrol functions including tracking, building searches, evidence recovery, apprehension, obstacles and obedience. K9 Union is also trained in narcotics detection.
Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a 501c (3) charity located in East Taunton, MA., 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 lifesaving body armor for their four -legged K9 partners. Through private and corporate donations, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., has
provided more than 1,600 protective vests in 49 states at a cost of more than $1.5 million.
Each vest weights between 4-5 pounds and has a value between $1,795 – $2,234 and comes with a five-year warranty. You can learn more or make a donation of your own here.
