LITTLE VALLEY — Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Nichols will receive a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from nonprofit organization Vested Interest in K9s Inc.

K-9 Nichols’s vest is sponsored by a fundraiser hosted by Cattaraugus Little Valley School District and will be embroidered with the sentiment “Gifted by Cattaraugus Little Valley School District.” Delivery is expected within eight to ten weeks.

Vested Interest in K9s Inc. is a 501(c)(3) charity located in East Taunton, Mass., 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. The nonprofit was established in 2009 to assist law enforcement agencies with this potentially lifesaving body armor for their four-legged K-9 officers. Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s Inc. provided over 3,300 protective vests, in 50 states, through private and corporate donations, at a value of $5.7 million dollars.

The program is open to dogs actively employed in the U.S. with law enforcement or related agencies who are certified and at least 20 months of age. New K-9 graduates, as well as K-9s with expired vests, are eligible to participate.

“I am so grateful to the Cattaraugus Little Valley School District and Vested Interest in K9’s Inc. for helping me keep Nichols safe,” said K-9 Handler Tim Pence. “The Sheriff’s Office is proud to serve such thoughtful members of our community.”

The donation to provide one protective vest for a law enforcement K9 is $950. Each vest has a value between $1,744 and $2,283 and a five-year warranty, and an average weight of 4 to 5 pounds. There is an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K-9s throughout the United States.

For more information or to learn about volunteer opportunities, please call 508-824-6978.