Atascadero K9 awarded ‘Healthcare for K9 Heroes’ grant 

In 2016, the program awarded “Pit,” the active duty K9 from the Atascadero Police Department, a lifesaving protective vest. The department recently announced that “Pit” also been selected as one of the recipients of the charity’s 2018 “Healthcare for K9 Heroes” medical insurance program.

–Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a nationwide charity 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. In 2016, the program awarded “Pit,” the active duty K9 from the Atascadero Police Department, a lifesaving protective vest. The department recently announced that “Pit” also been selected as one of the recipients of the charity’s 2018 “Healthcare for K9 Heroes” medical insurance program, which will provide health insurance coverage in the amount of $10,000 annually.

Representatives from the Atascadero Police Department indicate that the grant being awarded is immeasurable, as they are dependent on donations to ensure that their K9 partners have the most up to date equipment as well as medical insurance to assist the department with injuries or medical needs to their K9’s.

The “Healthcare for K9 Heroes” grant is awarded to departments who have the financial burden of raising funds to support their K9 unit, who have no more than three K9s, and who have previously been awarded a vest through the charity. Law enforcement dogs ages two through seven are eligible. Since 2016, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. has donated over $30,000 towards medical reimbursement programs for self-funded K9 units. The annual medical reimbursement insurance policy will cover illnesses, injuries—including those sustained in the line of duty—diagnostic testing and therapies. The plan allows the freedom to use any licensed veterinarian, specialty center, or emergency hospital in the United States and Puerto Rico.

Trupanion, the company that administers the policy, offers injury and illnesses coverage for working and service dogs, both on and off duty, and is honored to support these brave K9 heroes. The company is committed to providing the highest value in medical insurance to help these K9’s receive the best veterinary care.

In addition to the healthcare reimbursement program, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. has provided over 3,100 law enforcement dogs with bullet and stab protective vests in 50 states, at a value of $5.7 million dollars. For more information, call (508) 824-6978.

Tax-deductible donations are accepted via mail to: Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. P.O. Box 9 East Taunton, MA 02718 or via the website:www.vik9s.org.

About the author: News Staff

News staff of the A-Town Daily News wrote and edited this article from local contributors and press releases. Scott Brennan is the publisher of this newspaper and founder of Access Publishing. Connect with him on Google+, Twitter, LinkedIn, or follow his blog. He can be reached at [email protected].