Specialized vests help keep police service dogs safer on the job
The Vancouver Police Department’s K9 Unit has a powerful tool to help keep its four-legged members safe: specially designed ballistic vests for every Police Service Dog (PSD). Thanks to funding from the Vancouver Police Foundation, these vests are worn by all 16 working dogs in the unit and are a game-changing upgrade in canine safety.
Police dogs are often deployed in high-risk operations, many of which expose them to serious threats. These ballistic vests can make a life-saving difference during many police scenarios, including armed suspect confrontations where the dogs are frequently the first to enter buildings or confront suspects. Vests can protect them from gunfire or stabbing by suspects resisting arrest.
These dogs are also often used for ERT and tactical operations, helping to clear buildings, search tight spaces, apprehend or track suspects well ahead of their human handers. This can make the canines primary targets for violence. Additionally, the VPD Canine Unit is also ready to assist with any crowd control and/or riot responses, where the dogs are vulnerable to thrown objects, knives, or other improvised weapons. In all these cases, ballistic and stab-resistant vests can dramatically increase a dog’s chances of survival and injury prevention.
“The vests are made with bullet and stab-resistant materials that shield vital organs from firearms, knives, and other threats,” explains Constable Allan Bridges, handler of PSD Dak. “Dak is often the first to enter unknown or dangerous spaces, and his ballistic vest could very well save his life when he encounters an armed suspect, a sharp object, or even shrapnel during a volatile incident.”
Earlier this year, Constable Vanessa Hallaway and her partner PSD Ryker were involved in an incident where Ryker’s ballistic vest made all the difference for his well-being. During a high-risk apprehension, PSD Ryker was deployed to locate and engage a violent suspect.
“The individual had fled and hid, concealing himself beneath multiple layers of garbage and armed with a pair of gardening shears,” explains Cst. Hallaway “PSD Ryker located the suspect who fought back aggressively, attempting to severely injure Ryker. Thanks to the protection provided by the vest, PSD Ryker was shielded from potential stab wounds during the confrontation. The protective vest ensured that PSD Ryker remained unharmed and able to continue working.”
A few months later, Cst. Hallaway and PSD Ryker encountered another serious incident in which the vest protected Ryker from considerable harm once again. They were involved in a serious motor vehicle accident while on duty.
“The impact was sudden and violent, throwing everything in the police SUV sideways, but thanks to the reinforced structure and secure fit of the vest, Ryker remained stable and shielded from any major blunt force,” says Cst. Hallaway.
The vest’s padded panels absorbed much of the shock, preventing injury to his ribs and spine, and the secure harness kept him anchored, reducing the risk of secondary trauma. Without that vest, the outcome for him could have been much worse.
Unlike typical pet vests or gear, these K9 ballistic vests are tailored specifically for working police dogs who routinely face unpredictable, high-risk situations. They are custom-fit to each dog to reduce chafing, hotspots, and pressure points. The vests are thoughtfully engineered to ensure they are lightweight, breathable, moisture-wicking, and padded in key areas to ensure comfort and keep the dogs cool during long shifts. Most importantly, the vest allows full range of natural motion, so dogs can continue to run, jump, swim, climb, track, and apprehend without limitation.
While the vest weighs anywhere between 4-7 lbs, it is well-balanced and distributed so it doesn’t exhaust the dog quickly. “Dak trains in his vest regularly, so wearing it has become second nature for him, just like putting on a duty belt for me,” explains Cst. Bridges.
Before these vests were introduced, many handlers experienced the stress of sending their unarmored partners into the unknown.
“He’s more than a tool – he’s my partner – and not having that layer of armor made those split-second decisions even harder,” says Cst. Bridges. “Now, with the ballistic vests, I know he has the best possible protection which helps me focus on the task at hand. “It’s the same level of protection I’d want for any officer heading into danger.”
The Vancouver Police Foundation is proud to have funded this important addition to the K9 Unit’s gear. With these new ballistic vests, VPD’s police dogs can continue their courageous work with an extra layer of life-saving protection – because every hero deserves to come home safe.
HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT THE VPD K9 UNIT:
BECOME A MONTHLY DONOR – Monthly giving is an affordable way to support our canine heroes. Even $10/month will have a lasting impact.
ADOPT A KENNEL – For an annual donation of $1,000, you can adopt a kennel in your name, or in memory of someone or a beloved pet, that houses a VPD canine hero. Think of a kennel as an at-work doggy bedroom – a safe and quiet place for each VPD canine to eat, rest, and relax between calls. Each VPD canine has its own dedicated kennel.
JOIN THE PACK – Join the Canine Calendar email list to receive special Canine updates and 2026 Calendar pre-sale!
ADOPT A K9 HERO – Symbolically adopt a member of the VPD Canine team
The Vancouver Police Foundation supports programs and initiatives that fall within three streams: community outreach and engagement (including programs for women, youth and seniors); public and personal safety; and specialized equipment and technology. You can help make Vancouver safer for all by donating to the Vancouver Police Foundation.
