Massachusetts Vest-a-Dog, Inc. announces their 2012 calendar, featuring Massachusetts police dogs, from Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department, as well as Medford Police Department, Wareham Police Department, Massachusetts Environmental Police and Massachusetts State Police, is now available at all Especially for Pets locations; in Wayland at 44 Main ST/RT 27 and online for a $10 donation. Proceeds from the calendars will support Massachusetts police dogs, by helping provide bulletproof vests, essential equipment, training and dogs.
Preview the calendar on the organization’s website, www.mavestadog.org As the exclusive photographer for the calendar, Jonathan Kozowyk donned a wetsuit, scooched, kneeled, laid on the ground, squeezed himself into corners, and climbed up/around/over all sorts of obstacles. His extraordinary efforts successfully captured K-9s (and their handlers) at work.
“Your donation of $10 for a calendar truly helps make a difference to these hard-working dogs, who provide tremendously valuable services to keep our communities safe. Donations of any amount, as well as volunteer assistance, is welcome. We extend thanks to Especially for Pets for offering our calendars. Last year’s Especially for Pets stores calendar proceeds provided a bullet/stab-protective vest for K-9 Nero of the Bedford Veteran’s Administration Police,” notes Kathy Hinds, Massachusetts Vest-a-Dog President.
Hinds continues, “Since 2000, through donor’s generosity and tireless volunteer efforts, we’ve provided over 300 bulletproof vests, at a cost of up to $2400. We’ve replaced over 100 warranty-expired vests. We’re finally at the point of vesting new K-9s as they become certified.”
Ken Ballinger, Assistant Deputy Superintendent of the Plymouth County Sheriff's Department K-9 Program, explains, “Our goal is to use a vest on the K-9 when there’s a known threat, such as a gun or knife, with the most common threat being a knife or a blunt object. The vest also prevents puncture injuries from objects like a stick or a rusty fence, while on a track. K-9 vests continue to evolve with handler input and in consideration of new technology (like K-9 video cameras). The vests are lighter, more flexible, and ergonomic.”
“We recently expanded our mission to provide support for essential equipment, training & dogs for police / law enforcement programs throughout Massachusetts,” said Hinds, “in response to donors, supporters and volunteers who have asked "what else can we do?" as well as K9 handlers who have more frequently noted the fragility of their K9 budgets; lack of funding for essential K9 equipment (hot & pop units, bite sleeves/suits, cruiser kennels, etc.), specialized training, and the ultimate 'big ticket item' – the purchase of a dog. We’re offering a bi-annual grant process, with the first grant requests due on December 15. Handlers, K-9 trainers and police departments have already made inquiries about submitting grant requests for everything from cruiser kennels, cruiser heat detector/remote door popper units, specialized SWAT K-9 equipment, general K-9 training equipment, to funds to purchase a dog to be trained as a K-9.”
“Pitching in to support Massachusetts police dogs is the least we can do, providing what’s needed for these 4-legged fuzzy officers, as they help keep everyone safe, bring home lost family members, help find evidence that convicts criminals. They put their life on the line, but still at the end of the day, they enjoy the work that they do,” explains Diane Whittaker, Board Member and Clerk of Massachusetts Vest-a-Dog, who has worked as a Certified Veterinary Technician for 25-plus years (almost twenty at New England Animal Medical Center in West Bridgewater), “Volunteering with Massachusetts Vest-a-Dog has broadened the scope of how I could help these outstanding police dogs.”
Also available online are “Special Edition: Massachusetts State Police” 2012 calendars, Tshirts, hats, dog tags and window decals.
Donations may be sent directly to Massachusetts Vest-a-Dog, Inc, PO BOX 48 Walpole MA 02081. For more information, please call 508-668-7149 or visit their website at www.mavestadog.org
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ABOUT: Massachusetts Vest-a-Dog, Inc. is an independent, all-volunteer, non-profit 501(c)3 organization, recently expanding it's mission, to Support Massachusetts Police Dogs, by helping provide vests (continuing to be our primary goal), essential equipment, training & dogs; in response to K9 handlers who have often noted the fragility of their K9 budgets, & lack of funding for other K9 equipment (hot & pop units, bite sleeves/suits, kennels when the cruiser type changed, etc.), as well as specialized training, & the ultimate 'big ticket item' – the purchase of a dog. Donors, supporters & volunteers have often asked "what else can we do?" We are building on 11 year of success: since 2000, because of generous support from donors and tireless efforts of our volunteers, Massachusetts Vest-a-Dog is proud to have provided over 300 bulletproof vests to the following Massachusetts law enforcement agencies: local police departments, county sheriff’s departments, State Police, Department of Corrections, MBTA Transit Police, Environmental Police, Department of Developmental Services, USAF – Hanscom AFB, USCG – Gloucester & Hull. We earnestly work to provide vests to Massachusetts K-9s without a vest, and to replace K-9 vests we originally provided, as the vests' warranty expires after 5 years. A bulletproof K9 vest ranges from $735 to $2400 each, and will also protect K-9s against blunt force trauma from being kicked, punched, or struck with an object, like a bat.
