YOUNGSTOWN — The Youngstown State University Police Department’s lone four-legged member will soon be the recipient of a significantly thicker layer of protection.

“This generous donation will help keep K-9 Barkley, and the YSU community, safe. We are honored and grateful to receive this gift from Mr. Laufman and Vested Interest in K-9s,” police Chief Shawn Varso stated in a YSU news release.

Varso was referring to a bullet and stab-proof protective vest the department will be receiving this fall from East Taunton, Massachusetts-based Vested Interest in K-9s Inc., a nonprofit organization established in 2009 that provides such gear and similar assistance to police dogs and those in related agencies throughout the nation.

Varso also referred to Dan Laufman of Canfield, who sponsored Barkley’s protective vest.

Specifically, the $1,800 piece of equipment weighs 4 or 5 pounds and has a five-year warranty, the release states.

“I feel wonderful that he has the same protection as I do,” said officer Hope Stoner, who is Barkley’s handler.

Barkley was added to the department Feb. 6 after having completed a five-week training course with Shallow Creek Kennels Inc. of Sharpsville, Pa., where he received specialized training in firearms and explosives detection. Beforehand, the German shepherd had come to the U.S. from Holland, she said.

The dog already was highly proficient in various search operations before she became his partner and handler, Stoner said, adding that the protective vest may arrive in October.

From a logical standpoint, fitting Barkley with such equipment makes sense because police dogs also are a vital part of the department and “should be protected the same as we are,” she continued.

Stoner also expressed gratitude to Jordan Kenyon, 8, and his sister, Annalise Kenyon, 11, of Austintown, for hosting a lemonade fundraiser June 21 at Penguin City Brewing Co. in Youngstown to bring in added money for the vest. The gathering also was in memory of the late Amy Kenyon-Bowman, affectionately known as “Mimi,” and who was Annalise and Jordan’s aunt, Stoner explained.

As a tribute to her, Barkley’s new piece of equipment will be embroidered with the sentiment “In memory of Aunt Mimi.”

Since its inception, Vested Interest in K-9s has donated at least 6,159 such vests to police departments and similar agencies across the U.S. The organization also has donated 3,300 police dog Narcan kits, more than $186,621 in first aid kits for the animals and $45,000 for decoy, tracking and e-collar training seminars, according to its website.

Vested Interest in K-9s’ offerings are available to dogs at least 20 months old that are actively certified and employed with law enforcement and related agencies, as well as those with expired vests, its website states.

Also, the vests are made from durable materials, so they provide maximum protection to the dogs’ vital organs. In addition, they are custom-fitted to each animal, the website shows.