Peabody Police Dog Ozzy Awarded 'HealthCare For K9 Heroes' Grant

PEABODY, MA — Peabody Police K9 Ozzy was one of a handful of police dogs across the state chosen for veterinary insurance support as part of Vested Interest K9's "Healthcare for K9 Heroes" program.

The East Taunton nonprofit provides bullet and stab protective vests to law enforcement and related agencies across the country, as well as a medical insurance program that covers annual policy premiums.

Since 2016, the charity has donated more than $401,207 towards medical reimbursement programs for self-funded K9 units.

Other Massachusetts departments to receive the grant include Dennis police dog Winnie and Swampscott police dog Sora.

The annual medical reimbursement insurance policy, administered by Trupanion, will cover illnesses, injuries — including those sustained in the line of duty — diagnostic testing, and therapies. The plan allows the freedom to use any licensed veterinarian, specialty center, or emergency hospital in the United States.

Tax-deductible donations to the program are accepted via mail to: Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. P.O. Box 9 East Taunton, MA 02718, or via the website here.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)