Washington County’s newest K9 officer Dzamal (dz sounds like J) received a monetary gift from a national non-profit. Vested Interest K9s, Incorporated, a 501(c)(3) charity from East Taunton, Massachusetts made a donation to K9 officers in Washington County, Cherokee, Oklahoma and Harveysburg, Ohio. The “Healthcare for K9 Heroes” grant is a medical insurance program that covers annual premiums for departments who have the financial burden of raising funds for their K9 unit, have no more than three K9 officers and have been awarded a vest previously. The annual medical reimbursement insurance policy covers illnesses, injuries, including those sustained in the line of duty, diagnostic testing and therapies. The plan includes the use of any licensed veterinarian, specialty center or emergency hospital in the United States. This program has awarded more than $227,000 since its inception in 2016.