The Steamboat Springs Police Department’s police dog, Amon, will receive a bulletproof and stab-resistant protective vest after a nonprofit organization made the donation to the department.

Amon’s armor is sponsored by Don and Misty Fike of Galesburg, Illinois, and will be embroidered to say “Born to Love – Trained to Serve – Loyal Always.”

The Steamboat Springs Police Department welcomed Amon — its first-ever K-9 — in early February, assigning Officer Brenden Andrews to be his handler.

Amon, a Belgian Malinois from the Netherlands, is certified in narcotics detection, including heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine and ecstasy, according to an April news release.

Andrews and Amon started official patrol in early April after the pair completed intensive training at the Colorado K-9 Training Academy in Grand Junction to receive certification.

“Brenden pitched the K-9 unit idea after the Yampa Valley experienced four fentanyl deaths,” said Steamboat Springs Police Chief Mark Beckett in an April statement. “We needed another way to try to stem drug trafficking through the area, and we’re excited to have Amon on the team.”

The donating organization, Vested Interest in K9s, provides protective armor to law enforcement dogs nationwide. The armor is expected to arrive in the next 10 weeks, according to a city news release.

Law enforcement dogs over 20 months old and actively employed with law enforcement of a related agency are eligible for the custom-fitted, potentially lifesaving body armor, states the release.

The release adds that Vested Interest in K9s has provided over 6,000 vests to law enforcement dogs in all 50 states, valued at $6.9 million. Each vest costs around $1,800.

In the future, the Steamboat Springs Police Department has said it hopes to expand its K-9 program to 24/7 service by 2027.

Before approaching or reaching for Amon, the community is advised to ask Andrews for permission because he is a working police dog.

For more information about the vest donation program, visit Vik9s.org.