One of 2 police dogs, Eyra is getting a new bulletproof vest thanks to a donation from the Landis Family Foundation.
Colonial Regional Police Department is one of many in the Lehigh Valley with trained officers of the two- and four-legged variety.
Now one of its two K9 teams -- police dog Eyra and his handler, Officer Cody Hendershot -- will be the recipient of a new ballistics vest from Vested Interests in K9s, courtesy of the Landis Family Foundation.
Eyra is a 7-year-old Belgian Malinois who was bred and trained in France. He has a dual-purpose certification in both narcotics and patrol functions from the National Police Canine Association.
Eyra responds to a mixture of French and English commands and is considered a social dog.
"This means he can be out around other officers and just run around," Hendershot said. "Some dogs have to stay in (the patrol car) and can't just be let out around people they're not familiar with."
Hendershot and Eyra have been working together since March 2012, though they had a four-month acclimation period starting at the end of 2011 before they began patrolling together.
The new vest will replace an outdated ballistics vest intended strictly for protection, Hendershot said. Weighing between four and five pounds, Eyra's new vest will not only fit him more securely, it will be made to his specific measurements and feature handles that can be used for tactical functions as well as offer stab and bullet protection to ensure Eyra's safety.
"We can now have peace of mind in deploying him," Hendershot said. "He gives us time and distance and this will help keep him safe."
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Colonial Regional police Chief Roy Seiple said the generous donation by the Landis Family Foundation will be put to good use.
"The dog is an extension of the officer and is essentially another officer," he said. "We want to use any resource we can to protect him."
Colonial Regional is receiving the vest from Vested Interest in K9s, a nonprofit organization in Massachusetts that seeks to provide bullet and stab protection vests to dogs to law enforcement and related agencies.
Police departments would normally pay between roughly $1,800 and $2,200 every five or so years when vests wears out or they get a new K9 officer. But with each donation total of $1,050, Vested Interest is able to provide a vest free to law enforcement agencies that apply.
It will be clear what made Eyra's safer outfitting possible. His vest will be embroidered with the following words: "Gifted with gratitude -- The Landis Family Foundation."
The foundation is a nonprofit organization started in 2014 by the Landis family, owners of the three Star Automobile dealerships in the Lehigh Valley. The Landis Family Foundation partners with other nonprofit groups and agencies in the Lehigh Valley with a focus on children, veterans and canines.
Hendershot said he and Eyra are grateful for the donation and are looking forward to receiving the new gear before month's end.
"That they (the Landis Family Foundation) see that what we do is important and want to help us with that is great," Seiple said. "We're really happy."
Melissa Reph is lehighvalleylive.com's Student Achievement Award intern. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.