HELP PROTECT THE DOGS WHO HELP PROTECT YOU!


NEW!  MASS. VEST-A-DOG 2009 CALENDARS
Click on the calendar -->
to preview and/or buy one now!
calendar


In April 2008, *Massachusetts Vest-a- Dog, Inc. was organized as an independent non-profit organization dedicated to raising funds to provide bullet-protective vests for police dogs throughout Massachusetts.

 * Massachusetts Vest-a-Dog was a division of the Barnstable Police Association from May 2000 to March 2008, during which volunteers and donors made it possible to  provide 192 bullet/stab-protective vests across Massachusetts in the following law enforcement agencies: local police departments, sheriff departments, MA State Police, MA Dept of Corrections, MBTA (MA Bay Transportation Authority), MA Environmental Police, MA Dept of Mental Retardation, USAF- Hanscom AFB, and USCG Gloucester. The wonderful people – and many of their pets - we met along the way enriched our lives in ways we could never have foreseen.  Thank you!

For every K-9 risking his life, day in and day out...
and for the peace of mind for the officer by his side.

If you know of a new MA police dog that needs a vest, please let us know!

The bullet protective vests we provide cost $725.00 as of July 2008.

Donations:

 MASS. Vest-A-Dog, Inc.
 P.O. Box 512
 Centerville, MA 02632-0512

Need fundraising ideas?

Additional Information:
Kathy Hinds 508-668-7149
Sandy Marcal   508-824-6978 
Email: info@mavestadog.org

MA Vest-a-Dog is comprised of a small group of dedicated volunteers – with help all across the state….Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, school groups, women’s groups, animal welfare groups, pet-related businesses, veterinarians…dogs have even been vested by “donations in honor of” First Communion, Bat Mitzvah, Birthdays, etc! Along the way, we have had the privilege and honor to meet many police dogs and their tremendously dedicated handlers – and seen many of these K9 teams demonstrate their talents of narcotics / firearms detection, apprehension, obedience, etc.

The wonderful people – and many of their pets - we have met along the way have enriched our lives in ways we could never have foreseen. We are grateful to all!
 

 K9 Vesting Program Links

 A few favorite K9 Links

          Much gratitude and appreciation are extended to the following dedicated volunteers who have put countless hours and boundless enthusiasm into MA VAD: Dr. Drew Brodsky, Helen Georgerian, The Hinds Family – especially Lisa, Sandy Marcal, Susan St. Marie, Lisa & Mike Quinn / Boston Beef in Norwood, Sgt. Edward Smith, ret. (Barnstable Police Association), Gil Bechtel, and Maureen, Laura, Kayla, Emily, Daniel…

The following thanks are for extraordinary gifts: Dr. Joan Zofnass and The Emily Zofnass Fund at the Boston Foundation, PETCO of Taunton, MA, The Animal Rescue League of Boston, Hanover DogFest 2001/2002 (Bob White - B&B Dogs Professional Dog Training / Hanson, Mike Kelly - K9 Communication, Inc. Training and Development Center / Norwell, and Mike O’Neil - Complete K-9 / Plympton, The MSPCA - Law Enforcement Division, Pedigree ® Dog Food, America’s Food Basket of Dorchester / Upham’s Corner, Especially for Pets, Inc, Jessie Samieri, of Feeding Hills, Massachusetts, and The Dunn Middle School 6th Grade D.A.R.E. class of 2001-2002!

Special thanks to MA State Police Sgt. Robert McCarthy and his partner, K9 Thor – for taking the time, at the very beginning of MA VAD, to help us understand what the responsibility a K9 is all about – and all the love, respect, and support these wonderful K9s deserve.

In memoriam of K-9 CERO, killed in the line of duty on March 25, 2000. Devoted partner of Deputy William R. Niemi - Ashtabula County Sheriff's Office - Jefferson, Ohio. Cero’s heart-breaking story was the inspiration to go forward and create a state-wide K9 vesting program in Massachusetts. Learn more about K9 Cero at http://members.dandy.net/~lulu//memorial2.html

Thanks to Cathy Bechtel of Mouse Magic Web Design and Hosting


Massachusetts Vest-a-Dog
A non-profit organization dedicated to raising funds to provide bullet protective vests for police dogs throughout Massachusetts.

Donations:

 MASS. Vest-a-Dog, Inc.
 P.O. Box 512
 Centerville, MA 02632-0512
Additional Information:
                           
Kathy Hinds 508-668-7149

Sandy Marcal   508-824-6978 

Updated: July 31, 2008