K9 Cobalt and his handler Officer Nate Harvey of Rutland have been selected for a once in a lifetime opportunity: to win a fully outfitted K9 Tahoe from Vested Interest K9, a non-profit organization that donates to working dogs.
K9 Cobalt is the sole working K9 for the City of Rutland, and one of only a few in Central Vermont. Cobalt and his handler travel around the county and area to help not only the City PD, but Vermont State Police and the US Marshals. Cobalt is certified by Vermont State as a narcotics and patrol dog, and by the US Police Canine Association as a patrol dog. Patrol encompasses apprehension, tracking, and evidence.
K9 Cobalt and Officer Harvey bonded from day one and are practically inseparable. Cobalt is from Slovakia and came to the U.S. when he was 1 year old. The Rutland Police Department supported Officer Harvey in selecting the best dog for the job, and they have been a team for three years now. The duo travels across New England and New York to get the best training, supported by the city police department. Unfortunately, a new K9 car is not in the city’s budget and the current car is getting old. It doesn’t start on cold days and spends a lot of time at the shop. Its age is showing with a few dents and some rust here and there.
Becoming a K9 handler has been a life-long dream of Officer Harvey, who served in the Marine Corps before becoming a police officer. He worked closely with the bomb dogs and handlers on his deployments, working toward one day becoming a handler himself. Having K9 Cobalt has been Harvey’s favorite part of his job and it shows in his extreme dedication to his dog’s welfare and training.
Cobalt is big lover at home, and likes to play, snuggle and go on adventures just like a normal dog, Harvey shared. But when Cobalt puts on his work uniform (different from his daily wear), he perks up and is all business, ready to take on the world with his partner. He has been a crucial part of many cases, drug, tracking, and apprehension included. Cobalt and Officer Harvey are also on the Killington Volunteer Search and Rescue team — ready to help find lost hikers.
How does the Vested interest K9 car giveaway work? Vested Interest buys a Chevy Tahoe directly from a GM dealer and presents the winner with a standard equipment options list to review. The handler chooses the kennel insert, heat alarm package, rack system, and other customizations that he or she wants. Vested Interest pays for all of the customizations for the K9 car inside and out with a maximum prize value of $50,000.
Help this amazing team – and your tax dollars! — by voting for them to win the new K9 car. They are up against 29 teams from around the country and can never enter again. They need everyone’s support from our small community. Please visit vik9s.org/suvgiveaway and click on their photo to vote. You can vote every day in October!
