TANGIPAHOA - A non-profit is taking a vested interest in K9 officers in Tangipahoa Parish, helping to ensure they stay safe while on duty.

Vested Interest in K9s is a non-profit organization that supports K9s across the world. And they have chosen an deputy with the Tangipahoa Sheriff's Office to gift a custom-made vest, one that will fit his K9's exact measurements.

But the bond between the deputy and his K9 leaves an even bigger impact. And for Deputy David Bailey, his partnership with his one-year-old K9 is special.

David Bailey even says he can tell that his K-9 partner Gunner is quite fond of him, now showering him with kisses on the job and at home.

“He’s your partner, he’s your best friend. I stay with him 24-7, so our bond and my connection with him are very close, and sending him in any situation is always going to make me nervous," Bailey said.  

But the safety of Gunner or any K9 in the line of duty is crucial. Deputies say the greatest risk of K-9 injuries comes during apprehension activities, explaining why training is key in this field.

Gunner and Bailey have a jam-packed schedule all day, even after hours, when it is time to go home.

"Every morning before the call volume increases, we are here, we are doing drills. When you walked up, we were doing article searches and evidence recovery. I might go plant some scents for him to go find. Keep him on his toes, I change it every day for him. Obedience is everyday. It's the core for everything," Bailey said.

Sheriff Gerald Sticker knows and believes the K9 team is an integral part of the program. And there is a K9 for every aspect of the job.

“We have K9s that search for narcotics, we have K9s that search for offenders, if you will, we have K9s that search for explosives," Gerald Sticker said.  

From school-aged kids to adults, K9s touch the hearts of many. Sticker even says they are the favorite members in the department.  

But at the end of the day, Sticker's top priority is to ensure the deputies and their companions are safe.

“What we have done since I have been in office this last year is to make sure all of our deputies are properly equipped and that, with limited funding, we have had to go outside the department," Sticker said.

So Vested Interest in K9's invested joined forces with the sheriff's office to provide Gunner with the gear he needs.

This is the 2nd K9 to be gifted a ballistic vest in Tangipahoa Parish. The first was K9 Vari in 2016. K9 Vari has since passed away.

And this gift of the vests is giving Bailey a sense of relief.  

“It ensures his safety just like mine. It’s ballistic and stab rated. It makes me feel better about his safety whenever I utilize him in an apprehension situation or a search," Bailey said.  

But these vests don't take away all of his fears.

“It brings an ease of mind, but you're never going to be comfortable when you deploy a dog," Bailey said.

Because at the end of the day, Bailey believes you always have to watch your buddies' backs. And in this case, it would be the buddy with four paws and a tail.

“The same reason why I put a vest on every day is the same reason why he should have a vest on as well," he added.

Vested Interest in K9s sparked others in Tangipahoa Parish to supply vests for other K9s. Southern Podiatry Clinic has offered to sponsor the purchase of three more vests for the Tangipahoa Sheriff's Office.