Jackson County K9 Ivar Receiving Heavy-Duty Body Armor in October

Jackson County Sheriff’s Officer Miquela Sullivan said her K9 Partner Ivar will receive stab and bullet-proof armor in October.

Sullivan said Ivar is always on the front lines with her and she felt he should have the same protection as she does. She said after she had ordered Ivar’s armor from the nonprofit Vested Interests in K9s, she found out that her partner’s safety would surpass her own.

“He’s actually getting a better vest than what I have,” Sullivan said. “What I have it can only do so much. It’s very limited. It will stop and slow down certain impacts, but it’s not a hundred percent.”

Sullivan said Ivar is a full patrol dog, meaning he is a bite dog, a narcotics dog, and a tracking dog. She said although Ivar can be intimidating when working in certain situations, he also helps locate lost children.

Sullivan said Ivar wears a vest daily and is used to wearing one for long periods. However, she said the new armor is hefty and will require some getting used to.

“It’s not something he will always wear,” she said. “It’s only for certain situations.”

Sullivan said she had started the application process in June for a vest fitted specifically to Ivar. She said the vest will take any impact from his neck back to his hind legs, and she is thankful to Vested Interests in K9s for their generosity.

“I get people all the time that are very appreciative of just knowing he is here,” Sullivan said. “We have two K9s for the department. But it’s a very mind-settling thing for the community to know if something was to happen, we have him to take out those stressful situations, help me and my coworkers in certain situations as well.”