Vet Tech Club Raises Funds for Canine Ballistic Vests

The Veterinary Technology Club of Blue Ridge Community College raised $3,860 to purchase four canine ballistic vests for the Augusta County Sheriff’s Office K-9 unit. The club presented a check to Augusta County Sheriff Donald L. Smith on April 19.

K-9 Handlers Chris Pultz and Kenny Randozzo and their dogs, Blaez and Joe, and other deputies from the Sheriff’s office were also on hand for the presentation. Blaez, an eight-year-old German Shepherd-Belgian Malinois mix, and Joe, a nine-year-old Bloodhound, and two other Police Service Dogs will be custom fitted for the bullet-proof vests.

Deputies Pultz and Randozzo explained to a gathering of veterinary technology students and other dog lovers on the Blue Ridge campus how their canine partners are trained to do tracking, evidence recovery, bomb detection, searches, and many other tasks.

Westwood Animal Hospital and Veterinary Emergency Services also supported the fundraising effort.