FARMINGTON — K9 Axel of Farmington Police Department is the latest recipient of a protective ballistic vest through Maine K9 Vests, a non-profit organization run by the Robichaud family of Oxford.

Farmington Police Officer Michael Lyman and K9 Axel. (Franklin Journal photo by Dee Menear)

Wayne, Nicole and Justin Robichaud presented the personalized vest to Axel and his handler, Officer Michael Lyman on Friday, Jan.11. A K9 first aid kit, leash and collar, and portable water bottle and bowl were also presented.

“We do it for the love of animals,” said Wayne Robichaud. “They are out there protecting all of us, whether they are in our community or not.”

Axel is a 2-year old drug certified K9. “He’s been a great asset to the department, not only with finding drugs but with the community,” said Chief Jack Peck. “Kids love him.”

Maine K9 Vests started in 2009 when Wayne and Nicole Robichaud’s daughter, Jen Robichaud was in high school. She needed to complete a senior project to benefit others, Wayne Robichaud said.

“She loves animals and was part of a law enforcement program in school,” he added. “We just kept up with it and now the whole family is involved.”

The organization has distributed 15 vests to working K9’s in the last decade. Franklin County Sheriff Department K9 Judge received a vest in December, Robichaud said.

Two more vests are slated to be presented as soon as funds are secured, he added. The vests are bullet- and stab-proof. They are personalized with name and department patches which can be removed for undercover work.

Each vest costs approximately $1,000, which includes the first aid kit and water bottle. The leash and collar are donated by Karen Reidman of The Happy Pooch, Robichaud said.

Wayne Robichaud and Nicole Robichaud (not shown) of Maine K9 Vests fit Farmington Police Department K9 Axel with a new bulletproof vest on Friday, Dec. 11. (Franklin Journal photo by Dee Menear)

Robichaud said funds are mostly raised through Facebook and gofundme.org. Collection cans are also set out at businesses.

“It takes about 45 days to raise the funds for a vest once we hear about a K9 without one,” he said. “Usually, we learn about a dog through a newspaper article and then we call the department to see if the dog has a vest.”

Peck said Axel has a reflective vest but no money had ever been put aside for a ballistic vest.

The mission of Maine K9 Vests is to equip every working police dog in Maine with a protective vest. “We would like Maine to be the first state to have a vest for every police dog,” Robichaud added.

For more information or to donate to the fund, contact Wayne Robichaud at 890-0951, or visit gofundme.org/mainek9vests or Maine K9 Vests Fund on Facebook.

 dmenear@thefranklinjournal.com