LITCHFIELD (AP) — A Connecticut state police dog is now safer on the job, thanks to a bullet-resistant vest donated by a charity group.

The 3-year-old German shepherd named Max recently received the vest from Vested Interest in K9s, a nonprofit group based in Taunton, Mass. The protective equipment was made possible by a fundraiser hosted by Blue Ribbon Boarding Kennels in Bethlehem.

Trooper First Class David Hawley has been Max's handler for one and a half years. They work out of Troop L in Litchfield. The dog is trained in patrol functions including tracking, building searches, evidence recovery and apprehension.

Vested Interest in K9s has provided more than 1,800 protective vests for dogs across the country since 2009. A $1,050 contribution allows the group to donate one vest.