MENDON — Since 2000, Massachusetts Vest-a-Dog has donated more than 1,000 bullet-resistant jackets to police dogs throughout New England.
Next year, the organization marks its 25th anniversary. It’s planning a special 25th anniversary calendar to honor the milestone, according to President David Shilale.
“I had this cockamamie idea for the 25th anniversary where I’ll photograph 25 police canines — and their handlers — from across the state,” said Shilale, who is also a photographer. “Each photograph was taken individually and I’ll Photoshop them all together for the special calendar cover.”
Mass. Vest-a-Dog was founded in 2000 by Kathy Hinds. She was inspired by the death of Cero, a police dog in Ohio who was shot and killed while in the line of duty. Hinds wanted to raise money to provide local police dogs with protective vests.
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Shilale recently spent two days at Vision Studios in Shrewsbury, which donated its space, to photograph dogs and their handlers. The dogs came from many law enforcement agencies, including the Massachusetts State Police, Suffolk Sheriff’s Department and several local police departments, including Milford police officer Patrick Motuzas and his dog partner Kodak.
The dogs photographed include German shepherds, labs, a German short-haired pointer and even a bloodhound puppy.
Money raised for not only vests, but dog kennel inserts, training costs
The money raised for the calendar supports many of Mass. Vest-a-Dog’s fundraising efforts, which go beyond vests.
“We do so much more now,” said Shilale. “We still do vests, but we also do grants. We helped finance three new K-9 candidates this year. We finance training seminars. We do a lot.”
Some of the items for which they raise money include dog kennel inserts for police cruisers; training costs for police dogs and their handlers; and an alarm that alerts police officers if their cruiser shuts down while they’re away from it when the dog remains in the cruiser.
Another fundraising effort is the first Mass. Vest-a-Dog Golf Tournament, which is being held in honor of Massachusetts State Police dog Frankie, who was killed in in 2022 during a standoff in Fitchburg. The tournament is being held Sept. 24 at the Crestview Country Club in Agawam.
Next year, along with the calendar, there will be special T-shirts and possibly other items available to celebrate Mass. Vest-a-Dog’s 25 years, Shilale said.
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Photographing the calendar, he said, has been a lot of work, but fun.
“I love it,” he said. “I’m spending two days of my free time photographing these dogs. I love it.”
Norman Miller can be reached at 508-626-3823 or nmiller@wickedlocal.com. For up-to-date public safety news, follow him on X @Norman_MillerMW or on Facebook at facebook.com/NormanMillerCrime.
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