Demonstration today 2 p.m. at Horseman's Park, Skyline Blvd. and Pioneer Drive

The Reno Police Department’s K-9 Unit will demonstrate the use of body armor that has been purchased for the K-9 officers through a $10,500 grant from the Helen Close Charitable Foundation that was accepted by the Reno City Council in July.

The demonstration will take place as part of scheduled K-9Unit training at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 7 at Horseman’s Park at Pioneer Drive and Skyline Boulevard in Reno.

The Helen Close Charitable Foundation provides grants primarily for education, human services, animals, and community improvement. The protective vests for Reno’s Police dogs were purchased through the grant from the K9 Storm Company of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

Although the Reno Police Department has not had a service dog killed in the line of duty, purchase of the ballistic vests will pro-actively address the potential of a line of duty injury or death.

The dogs and their police officer handlers are trained to work as a team. The dogs track and help apprehend suspects, protect their officer handlers, search for controlled substances, search buildings, search for explosives, and locate lost persons.

The Reno Police Department also trains the dogs in multiple behaviors to sustain a highly productive Reno Police Department K-9 unit that helps provide enhanced community safety. The canine team also conducts numerous public education demonstrations in addition to their regular duties.

The vests are custom fit for each dog to provide a wide range of protection. The vests are comfortable, lightweight, flexible, and can be worn for an entire shift without limiting the dogs’ performance in various activities.