EPHRATA — One of Grant County Sheriff’s Office’s four-legged deputies is a little bit safer out in the field now after receiving a protective vest.

The sheriff’s office says K-9 Deputy Edo received a bullet- and stab-protective vest through a donation from Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., based in East Taunton, Mass. The vest itself is sponsored by Newcastle resident Shana Greene and is embroidered with the words “Born to Love – Trained to Serve – Loyal Always.”

Vested interest is a non-profit organization that has a mission to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to police dogs across the country. Since the organization was established in 2009, Vested Interest has given more than 2,600 protective vests to law enforcement dogs in every state via private and corporate donations.

“The program is open to dogs actively employed in the U.S. with law enforcement or related agencies who are certified and at least 20 months of age. New K9 graduates, as well as K9s with expired vests, are eligible to participate,” explained the sheriff’s office.

Each protective vest comes with a $950 price tag, has a value between $1,744 and $2,283 and comes with a five-year warranty. Weighing an average of 4 to 5 pounds, the vest will provide Edo with an added layer of protection while he works in the field. Edo is one of three K-9 deputies the sheriff’s office currently has on patrol.