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Chloe and ShaeLee Campbell hosted a fundraiser that paid for the vests for Bodie and Hudson, which are expected to be delivered in eight to 10 weeks, Police Chief Keith Bendul said.
Making it possible was Vested Interest in K9s, a Massachusetts non-profit that provides the vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the U.S.
Established in 2009, the organization has provided more than 2,600 protective vests to dogs in 50 states through private and corporate donations of more than $2.1 million.
Fort Lee’s Bodie – dual-certified as a patrol and explosives-detection canine -- is partnered with Police Officer Chris Richter in the department’s Emergency Services Unit. He is named after a Sacramento, CA police dog who was shot saving his partner’s life.
Hudson, meanwhile, is partnered with Police Officer Zachary Joseph in the department’s Patrol Division and is dual-certified as a patrol and narcotics detection dog. He’s named after legendary explorer Henry Hudson.
Bodie, Hudson and their partners all were graduated from Bergen County Sheriff’s K9 training in May.
Each vest weights four to five pounds, is valued from $1,795 to $2,234 and come with a five-year warranty, Bendul noted.
MORE INFO: Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., (508) 824-6978, www.vik9s.org.
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