Vest donation protects CPW K9 Sage during conservation and public safety work

Colorado Parks and Wildlife Officer Zachary Picard and CPW K9 Sage work out of the Lamar office. Sage has been selected to receive a protective vest from a national non-profit dedicated to protecting working dogs. CPW Photo Oct. 29. 2026

LAMAR, Colo. — Colorado Parks and Wildlife K9 Working Dog Sage will receive a bullet- and stab-resistant vest through a national nonprofit’s grant program. The vest will help protect her as she and District Wildlife Officer Zachary Picard investigate wildlife crimes and support public safety work.

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., a nonprofit based in East Taunton, Mass., will provide the vest, sponsored by Barbara Chilton of Colorado Springs. It will be embroidered with the message “In honor of K9 Roam, Colorado Springs.” Delivery is expected within 10 weeks.

Sage and Picard work out of CPW’s Lamar office, serving southeastern Colorado as part of the statewide K9 unit led by supervisor Ian Petkash. Following a successful pilot program, CPW is expanding its K9 program across Colorado.

Petkash oversees recruitment and training for handlers and dogs, coordinates support for CPW operations statewide and manages requests for assistance from other law enforcement agencies. He also works with K9 Samson, bringing firsthand experience as a handler to his leadership of the unit.

“Working dogs have proven to be an invaluable tool for CPW, serving as ambassadors at education and outreach events, locating evidence in both poaching investigations and crimes against people, addressing bear conflict through aversive conditioning, and locating missing people,” Petkash said.

“K9 Sage and Officer Picard have hit the ground running since joining CPW’s K9 Pilot Program in 2024,” Petkash said. “Sage is a fan favorite, and her enthusiasm is contagious!”

Sage, a black Labrador retriever, has completed more than 890 hours of training and holds wildlife detection certification through the National Police Canine Association. She also helps officers locate evidence people may have discarded or concealed.

“Sage has been an invaluable addition to the Lamar team and is an exceptional partner in the field,” Picard said. “Since joining the team, Sage has assisted with a variety of deployments, including helping local law enforcement search for firearms discarded in fields and working throughout active hunting seasons. Off duty, Sage enjoys her toys and time with my family’s two other dogs.”

“Diverse environments and situations she encounters can be unpredictable, making her safety and protection incredibly important,” Picard said. “Knowing Sage will soon have an added layer of protection while doing the work she loves gives me tremendous peace of mind.”

According to Vested Interest in K9s, its vests are made in the United States, custom-fitted and certified by the National Institute of Justice. Each is valued at $1,800, weighs an average of 4 to 5 pounds and comes with a five-year warranty.
Founded in 2009, the 501(c)(3) charity provides vests and other assistance to dogs working with law enforcement and related agencies nationwide. It funds the program through tax-deductible private and corporate donations, with a sponsorship cost of $1,050 per vest. The organization reports providing more than 6,677 vests valued at $6.9 million to K9s in all 50 states.

The program is open to dogs in the United States that are at least 20 months old, actively employed and certified with law enforcement or related agencies. K9s with expired vests are also eligible. 

Across Colorado, CPW K9 teams use scent detection to locate wildlife parts and kill sites that officers might otherwise overlook. Handlers also provide additional patrol coverage and investigative assistance.

Through their fieldwork and community outreach, K9 teams support CPW’s mission to conserve wildlife, provide quality state parks and sustain outdoor recreation while helping inspire stewardship of Colorado’s natural resources.
For more information contact Vested Interest in K9s at (508) 824-6978 or visit www.vik9s.org 

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PHOTO CAPTIONS: Colorado Parks and Wildlife Officer Zachary Picard and CPW K9 Sage work out of the Lamar office. Sage has been selected to receive a protective vest from a national non-profit dedicated to protecting working dogs. CPW Photo 1 and CPW Photo 2
 

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