FORSYTH COUNTY — Two dogs in the K9 unit at the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office soon will be as equipped against attacks as their human counterparts.

Thanks to a charitable donation from the nonprofit Vested Interest in K9s Inc., dogs Edd and Lycan are set to receive bullet and stab protective vests.

The vests, sponsored by Cumming resident Joe Radack, will be embroidered with the phrase, “This gift of protection provided by Vested Interest in K9s Inc.,” which should arrive in about two months.

Radack sponsored three vests through the nonprofit in the past. Once these two arrive, all five dogs in the sheriff’s K9 unit will be equipped, according to Epifanio Rodriguez, a spokesman for the sheriff’s office.

The other dogs in the unit are Bowi, Hummer and Draco.

“[Vests] provide the added protection needed for our K9s,” Rodriguez said. “Our canines are placed in the same harm’s way as our deputies, so they need the same protection as our deputies.”

Since 2009, the nonprofit has provided more than 1,700 vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies in 49 states at a cost of more than $1.6 million. All vests are custom made.

The program is open to dogs employed in the U.S. with law enforcement or related agencies and which are certified and at least 20 months old.

New graduates and dogs with expired vests are eligible to participate.

There are about 30,000 law enforcement dogs throughout the country.

One vest can generally be provided with a $1,050 donation.

For more information, call (508) 824-6978 or visit vik9s.org.