Colorado Springs Police Department K9 Chewie will get body armor thanks to donations

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- K9 Chewie, a Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) K9, will be receiving a stab and bulletproof vest.

The vest comes as a donation from the charity Vested Interest in K9s, Inc.

Chewies vest is sponsored by Colorado Springs residents Eric and Paula Sayer. The vest will be embroidered with the sentiment “This gift of protection provided by the Sayers", according to CSPD.

Officer Chenoweth, Chewie's handler, says, he and Chewie are grateful and humbled that there are people and organizations that care so much about Chewie's health and safety. Officer Chenoweth also states that Chewie is a great asset to the community and he looks forward to working with Chewie every day.

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., established in 2009, is a charity whose mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests along with other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States.

The program is open to U.S. dogs that are at least 20 months old and actively employed and certified with law enforcement or related agencies. K9s with expired vests are also eligible to participate. There are an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K9s throughout the United States.

Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. has provided over 4,682 vests to K9s in all 50 states.