Community raises over $1,500 in less than 24 hours

Thanks to the community, Springfield’s police dog is about to get new safety equipment. About 25 people donated $1,725 for the dog named AJ. They surpassed the $1,500 fundraising goal in less than 24 hours.


www.eagletimes.com

www.eagletimes.com

Community raises over $1,500 in less than 24 hours By KATY SAVAGE ksavage@eagletimes.com Officer Prince and AJ Springfield Police Officer Ryan Prince with AJ, a 2-year-old Belgian Malinois. Members of the Springfield community raised over $1,500 to buy AJ new safety equipment. KATY SAVAGE Save SPRINGFIELD, Vt. — Thanks to the community, Springfield’s police dog is about to get new safety equipment. About 25 people donated $1,725 for the dog named AJ. They surpassed the $1,500 fundraising goal in less than 24 hours. “It’s one of the great examples of the community coming together,” said Springfield Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Caitlin Christiana, who helped run the campaign for AJ. AJ will soon get a monitor that tracks the interior temperature of the police cruiser so he doesn’t overheat, and he’ll get a device that pops the police car door open so he can exit the cruiser and help officers in emergencies. “People support the police department in this community,” Christiana said. “It’s the kind of thing people were real excited to rally around.” AJ is a 2-year-old Belgian Malinois. In October 2017 he was certified in patrol, and he received narcotics training in February 2018. He has worked with the Springfield police department since November 2017. He has helped the Springfield police track down suspects and led investigations into drug use. AJ lives with Officer Ryan Prince. The dog will receive his new equipment through an organization called Hero K9. Hero K9 is a nonprofit based in Minnesota that’s provided equipment to police dogs from 23 departments in 14 states since it was founded in June 2016. “K9s are such a value to a community,” said Hero K9 President and Founder Krisel Estrella. “They can do things that people cannot.” Hero K9 offers four different equipment grants for police dogs — a K9 medical kit with an oxygen mask, a bulletproof vest, a door pop and heat-alarm system and a police cruiser kennel. Officer Prince said he heard about Hero K9 through training. He received a call from the organization after the community responded to the request for donations so rapidly. “They were blown away by all the support up here,” Prince said. “The town of Springfield is very supportive. I owe it to the town. “ AJ is one of two dogs in Vermont that have received donations through Hero K9. K9 King Cobalt, a 2 1/2-year-old German shepherd who is part of the Rutland City Police Department, will also receive a temperature monitor and door pop with the help of the Rutland Region Chamber of Commerce. The extra donation money AJ received will go back to the police department’s general fund. The chamber of commerce isn’t the only organization that’s supported AJ. The Loyal Order of the Moose in Springfield raised money to buy AJ a bulletproof vest over the winter. The vest is expected to arrive in August. Besides helping police officers with their work, AJ has also boosted moral. “He keeps me motivated,” Prince said of AJ. “He wants to go out and do stuff—he keeps us all motivated, actually.”

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