BERRIEN COUNTY — The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department was one of two agencies in Michigan to be awarded for a K-9 Health Insurance Grant.

The police agency found out last month that it earned the health insurance grant, which will provide health insurance premiums for one year for their K-9 Mika.

Berrien County Sheriff’s Office canine Mika is a 2-year-old female Belgian Malinois and is trained in narcotic detection, tracking and handler protection. Mika has been a member of the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office for the past five months and works and resides with her handler, Deputy Jason Haskins.

The Berrien County Sheriff’s Office applied for a K-9 Health Insurance Grant through the National Police Dog Foundation in October. The Berrien County Sheriff’s Office was advised that 50 of these grants would be awarded to law enforcement agencies throughout the U.S.

Due to the specific grant requirements, the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office was able to apply for the grants for two of the three Berrien County Sheriff’s Office K-9s.

The awarded health insurance policy for Mika is administered by Petplan Pet Insurance and covers medical care if the K-9 is sick, hurt, or injured. The Berrien County Sheriff’s Office said they are appreciative of the generosity of the public, Petplan Insurance and the National Police Dog Foundation for providing this insurance.

In 2017, the National Police Dog Foundation launched their K-9 Health Insurance Fund, which was established from an initial donation by Petplan Pet Insurance. The fund is supported by donations from the public to the K-9 Health Insurance Fund and a $50 donation from Petplan for each new pet insurance policy.