Lee and Xavier Harrison of Orland Park started Illinois Vest-a-Dog five years ago with the goal to provide donated bullet and stab resistant vests for every police dog in the state the needs one. Today the non-profit organization vested their 300th police dog. Police K-9 Berry was presented with his new 3 and half pound vest today. He is assigned to the CSX Railroad Police in Riverdale, IL. He is trained in narcotics, patrol, tracking, protection and apprehension.
Joan and Wayne Hochwarter of Tinley Park are the donors for the 300th vest, just as they were for the 100th and 200th vest. The couple has vested 14 police dogs to date. Joan hand makes dog bandanas that slide on the dog's collar and sells them for $4 each. All funds are used to pay for an $825 vest, made of the same material human police officers wear.
To learn more about this organization, go to www.ivestadog.org. Tax deductible donations can be mailed to Illinois Vest-a-Dog, P.O. Box 618, Palos Heights, IL 60463.
