EASTHAMPTON, Mass. (WWLP) – A grant was awarded to reimburse Easthampton police K-9 Gino’s medical insurance.
According to a news release sent to 22News from Easthampton Police Sergeant Andrew Beaulieu of the K-9 Unit, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., a nationwide charity in East Taunton, provides bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement. The organization awarded K-9 Gino with the “Healthcare for K9 Heroes” that will reimburse annual medical
policy premiums.
“We’re all very happy, any protection that we can get for Gino… Gino’s one of us, he’s part of the family, so we’re very happy to have that protection. It’s really an invaluable thing,” said Easthampton Police K-9 Sergeant Andrew Beaulieu.
Three additional K-9s in Massachusetts were awarded 2022 “Healthcare for K9 Heroes”:
- Natick Police Department: K-9 Koda
- Harwich Police Department: K-9 Fritz
- Rehoboth Police Department: K-9 Edo
The annual medical reimbursement insurance policy covers illnesses, injuries, diagnostic testing, and therapies. The policy is administered by Trupanion and allows for care by any licensed veterinarian, specialty center, or emergency hospital in the United States.
K-9 Gino is a Belgian Malnois from the Czech Republic and is the department’s first police dog that joined the force in 2017 made possible through a Stanton Foundation Grant.
