Connecticut State Police announced that K9 Blaze received a protective vest donated by Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. and sponsored by Macy’s. Blaze works with Trooper First Class Timothy Bettencourt out of Troop E in Montville.

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a non-profit organization based in East Taunton, Mass. that provides bullet and stab protective vests to dogs in law enforcement. Each vest is valued at between $1,795 and $2,234, and the organization has provided more than 1,600 vests in 49 states.

K9 Nero, out of Troop G in Bridgeport, also recently received a vest from the organization.