VAN BUREN COUNTY, Mich. -- Valued Van Buren County Sheriff's Office K9 Quillen received a bullet and stab protective vest on Thursday morning as a donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc.

The vest has a value of $1800, weighs an average of four to five pounds, and comes with a five-year warranty.

K9 Quillen’s vest is embroidered with the sentiment “In memory of Mijo & Maya."

From Vested Interest:

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., established in 2009, is a 501(c)(3) 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. This potentially lifesaving body armor for four-legged K9 officers is U.S. made, custom fitted, and National Institute of Justice (NIJ) certified. Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. has provided over 5,918 vests valued at $6.9 million to K9s in all 50 states made possible by both private and corporate donations.

The program is open to U.S. dogs 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.

For more information or to learn about volunteer opportunities, please call (508) 824-6978. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provides information, lists events, and accepts donations at www.vik9s.org, or you may mail your contribution to P.O. Box 9, East Taunton, MA 02718.