The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department has been awarded a health insurance grant for one of its K9s. Undersheriff Chuck Heit tells WSJM News the grant comes through the National Police Dog Foundation.
“We were eligible to put in for two of our K9s, and we were very pleased to be selected,” Heit said. “One of our dogs was awarded the grant. There were 50 across the country, and we were able to get one of the grants for our dog Mika.”
Heit tells us Mika is a two-year-old female Belgian Malinois trained in narcotics detection, tracking, and handler protection. She started with the sheriff’s department five months ago following the retirement of K9, Rico. Mika lives with her handler, Deputy Jason Haskins. The grant help the sheriff’s department pay her health bills.
“All the dogs get health care at the vet,” Heit said. “This will provide an insurance program that will offset some of the costs.”
The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department is one of two Michigan police agencies to get a K9 health insurance grant.
