<div style="margin-top: 20px;">
<img src="http://www.como.gov/CMS/pressreleases/citylogo-health.jpg" alt="City of Columbia Logo" width="118" height="121" style="float: left; margin-right: 20px; margin-left: 0px;">
<img src="http://www.como.gov/CMS/pressreleases/firelogo.png" alt="Fire Department Logo" width="121" height="121" style="float: right; margin-right: 0px; margin-left:20px;">
<div style="padding-top:40px;
text-align:center;">
<p style="font-weight:bold; display: inline; line-height:150%; font-size: 105%;">Columbia Fire Department<br />
201 Orr Street
<br />
Columbia, MO 65201
</p></div>
</div>
<div style="clear:both; text-align:center; padding-top: 20px;">
<h2 style="font-size: 180%;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</h2>
<p style="font-size: 120%; margin-top: -5px; font-weight:bold;">April 15, 2019</p>
<p style="float:right; font-weight:bold; margin-bottom: 35px; font-size: 120%; text-align:right;">CONTACT: Assistant Fire Chief Brad Fraizer
<br />Office Monday through Friday 8am - 5pm
<br />573-874-7557</p>
</div>
<div style="font-size: 110%; line-height:145%;"><h3 style="clear:both; margin-top: 75px; margin-bottom: 10px; font-weight: bold; font-size: 170%;">Columbia Fire Department K9 Izzo has been awarded "Healthcare for K9 Heroes" Grant</h3>
<div class="content"><span style="padding-left: 50px;">(COLUMBIA, MO)</span> - <br />Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a 501c (3) nationwide charity located in East Taunton, MA, whose<br />mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement<br />and related agencies throughout the United States. The non-profit is pleased continue their<br />"Healthcare for K9 Heroes" medical insurance program for 2019 which covers annual policy<br />premiums. Since 2016, the charity has donated over $60,000 towards medical reimbursement<br />programs for self-funded K9 units.<br /><br />Selected as 2019 recipients to date are: Columbia Fire Department, MO, K9 Izzo, Elizabethtown<br />Police Department, KY, K9 Lola, Petersham Police Department, MA, K9 Bleu, Natchitoches Paris<br />Sheriff’s Office, LA, K9 Bessi, King and Queens Sheriff’s Office, VA, K9 Tyson, Montville Police<br />Department, CT, K9’s Barrett and Moll
y, Carroll County Department of Corrections, NH, K9 Chloe,<br />Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, KY, K9 Luma, Ecorse Police Department, MI, K9 Vader, Delta<br />County Sheriff’s Office, MI, K9 Jet, Dearborn Heights Police Department, MI, K9 Bain, Harper<br />Woods Police Department, MI, K9 Kaiser, Northern Kentucky University Police Department, KY,<br />K9 Arrit, City of Allen Park Police Department, MI, K9 Phantom, Hancock County Sheriff’s<br />Department, ME, K9 Finn, Pittsfield Police Department, MA, K9s Niko and Jango, Rolling Meadows<br />Police Department, IL, K9 Scar, Maywood Police Department, NJ, K9’s Remington and Vader,<br />German Township Police Department, OH, K9 Idus, Vinton Police Department, IA, K9 Gino,<br />Bannockburn Police Department, IL, K9 Odin, West Union Police Department, IA, K9 Xena , Forest<br />City Police Department, IA, K9 Kona, Ludlow Police Department, KY, K9 Oakley and Broadway<br />Police Department, IL, K9 Jax.<br
/><br />The "Healthcare for K9 Heroes" grant is awarded to departments who have the financial burden of<br />raising funds to support their K9 unit, who have no more than three K9s, and who have previously<br />been awarded a vest through Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. Law enforcement dogs ages two through<br />seven are eligible. The annual medical reimbursement insurance policy, administered by Trupanion,<br />will cover illnesses, injuries-including those sustained in the line of duty-diagnostic testing and<br />therapies. The plan allows the freedom to use any licensed veterinarian, specialty center, or<br />emergency hospital in the United States, and Puerto Rico.<br /><br />Trupanion, a leader in medical insurance for cats and dogs, offers injury and illnesses coverage for<br />working and service dogs- both on and off duty. For nearly two decades, Trupanion has given pet<br />owners and working dog owners peace of mind so they can focus on their dog’s re
covery, not<br />financial stress. Trupanion is honored to support these brave K9 heroes and is committed to providing<br />the highest value in medical insurance to help them receive the best veterinary care.<br />In addition to the healthcare reimbursement program, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. has provided over<br />3300 law enforcement dogs with bullet and stab protective vests in 50 states, at a value of $5.7<br />million dollars. For more information, please call 508-824-6978 . Tax deductible donations accepted<br />via mail to: Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. P.O. Box 9 East Taunton, MA 02718 or via the website:<br />www.vik9s.org .</div>
<br />
<div class="content"></div>
<br />
<div class="attachments">This release has the following attachments:<br /><br /><a href="https://www.como.gov/CMS/pressreleases/downloadfile.php?id=2159">Izzo</a><br /><a href="https://www.como.gov/CMS/pressreleases/downloadfile.php?id=2160">Izzo</a></div>
</div>
<div id="footerline">
<div style="margin-top: 35px; margin-bottom: 20px; text-align:center;"><p>City of Columbia Vision<br>
<em>Columbia is the best place for everyone to live, work, learn and play.</em></p>
<p>City of Columbia Mission<br>
<em>To serve the public through democratic, transparent and efficient government.</em></p>
</div>
<p style="text-align:center;">-30-</p>
</div>
<style>
#pressrelease table, #pressrelease th, #pressrelease td{
border: 0px;
}
#pressrelease{ margin:40px; margin-top: 0px !important;}
.attachments{margin-top: -10px;}
@media print {
#pressrelease{font-size: 75%; margin:10px !important; margin-top: -40px !important;}
#pressrelease div{line-height: 125%;}
#copyright{text-align:center; margin-top: -30px;}
}
</style><p>______________________________________________________</p>
<p>You have received this message because you subscribe to the City of Columbia's Web Mail service. To view linked material click on provided links or copy and paste them into your browser's address menu.</p>
<p>______________________________________________________</p>
<p>Archived press releases can be viewed online at:
http://www.como.gov/CMS/pressreleases/directory.php</p>
<p>______________________________________________________</p>
<p>If you would like to stop receiving messages, modify list options, or subscribe to other lists visit the Web Mail section of our Web site and follow the instructions provided at http://www.como.gov/Web_Mail/ </p><style>div{margin: 10px;}</style>