Wisconsin Vest-a-Dog Inc
Protecting the Dogs Who Protect Us
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Provide bullet proof and stab proof vests to every police dog in WI
Over the last 15 years we’ve provided bullet & stab proof vests for every K-9 in the State of Wisconsin, but the vests are only good for 5 years. We’re continuing to vest dogs as departments are purchasing more and more K-9’s. We will also be continuing to give replacement vests to K-9s as their vests wear out and their warranty expires.
Provide Heat Sensory Systems for K9 Squad Cars
Many law enforcement agencies lack funding to provide additional safety equipment to the K9 units including Heat Sensory Systems which will sound an alarm and open the vehicle in the case that air conditioning fails or the vehicle becomes overheated thus preventing heat illness or death of a K9 officer. Dog are killed every year due to heat related issues in squad cars and we provide this essential equipment to departments in need.
Provide K9 First Aid Kits to Every K9 Officer in WI
Many law enforcement agencies lack funding to provide additional safety equipment to the K9 units including First Aid Kits which include lifesaving medical supplied to use in the field which allows a handler to treat minor wounds and stabilize major wounds so the K9 officer can be transported to medical care.
Where we work
External reviews
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Number of public events held to further mission
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Provide bullet proof and stab proof vests to every police dog in WI
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
2020 and 2021 experienced a reduction in available events due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Total number of K9 Office First Aid Kits delivered.
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Provide K9 First Aid Kits to Every K9 Officer in WI
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Number of WI law enforcement K9 Officers provided a stab proof/bullet proof ballistic vest.
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Provide bullet proof and stab proof vests to every police dog in WI
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Total number of Heat Sensory Systems provided to Law Enforcement departments.
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Provide Heat Sensory Systems for K9 Squad Cars
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
Many law enforcement agencies who have K-9 units don't have additional budget for safety equipment such as Heat Sensory Systems for the squad car if the AC fails to protect against heat illness /death
Our Sustainable Development Goals
Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
Supporting K9 units in law enforcement throughout WI by providing bullet proof/stab proof ballistic vests, First Aid kits for units, and heat sensory devices for vehicles to protect the lives of our K9 officers. Educate the public on the needs for such equipment for the dogs used by law enforcement in the pursuit of public safety.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
Ongoing fundraising to raise capital to purchase safety equipment such as bullet proof/stab proof ballistic vests for K9 offices, supplies for First Aid kits, and heat sensory systems to be provided to local Law Enforcement to protect K9 officers.
Fundraising efforts include table events at various animal, dog, and local events to interact with the public and solicit donations. Soliciting donations via our website and partner donation programs such as workplace matching and Amazon Smile. Partnering with local retailers to feature our non-profit throughout cashier solicitation of donations and in store events featuring our volunteers.
Educate the public on the need for such equipment by providing demonstrations at table events and local events featuring law enforcement in tandem with local K9 Officers and their partners to drive awareness at events.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
WI Vest-a-Dog has a core group of volunteers experienced in presenting at local events, running table events, interacting with the public to solicit donations in a variety of settings. We have several annual events we participate in for the purpose of raising funds for K9 safety equipment and existing relationships with local retailers that include annual fundraisers for our non-profit in their stores in South Central WI.
We maintain a relationship with several members of local Law Enforcement and partner with local handlers and K9 Officers to provide demonstrations of safety equipment at public events to drive awareness of our program and solicit donations to support our work.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
Our original goal of vesting every law enforcement dog in WI was achieved in 2012 but our mission continues as we still need to vest every newly acquired K9 Officer and replace all vests as warranties expire every five years. We have successfully protected almost 600 dogs with stab proof/bullet proof ballistic vests, provided dozens of First Aid Kits to officers, along with heat sensory systems to smaller departments without the means of purchasing that equipment directly for the K9 vehicles.
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
-
How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals
-
Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We engage the people who provide feedback in looking for ways we can improve in response, We act on the feedback we receive, We tell the people who gave us feedback how we acted on their feedback
-
What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
We don't have any major challenges to collecting feedback
Financials
Unlock nonprofit financial insights that will help you make more informed decisions. Try our monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights?
Learn more
about GuideStar Pro.
Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Wisconsin Vest-a-Dog Inc
Board of directorsas of 07/16/2023
Donna Morgan
WI Vest-A-Dog, Inc.
Term: 2007 -
Scott Timm
Roxy Walker
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
-
Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? No -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Not applicable -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Not applicable
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as: