SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Springfield Fire Arson and Bomb Squad's K-9 Elwood received a donation of body armor from a local non-profit organization. City of Springfield rolls out red carpet for the Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Weekend According to the Springfield Fire Department, K-9 Elwood received a bullet and stab protective vest from Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., a 501(c)(3) charity established in 2009 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. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. has provided over 5,794 vests to K-9s in all 50 states at a value of $6.9 million, which was made possible by both private and corporate donations. They donated a bullet and stab protective vest to K-9 Elwood that will have the sentiment "In memory of Sonic - Loyal Companion”. These vests are made to protect law enforcement K-9s when they are out protecting our community. The program is open to any dogs in the United States that are at least 20 months old and actively employed and certified with law enforcement or related agencies. K-9s that have expired vests are also eligible to participate. There are an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K-9s throughout the United States, and not all of them have protective vests. Each vest has a value of $1,800, weighs an average of 4-5 lb., and comes with a five-year warranty. Local News Headlines Parole board sends more petitions to Governor’s desk K-9 Elwood of the Springfield Fire Arson and Bomb Squad receives body armor donation Belchertown to discuss generational nicotine ban How local organizations are helping hurricane Milton victims WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.