Michael Valdez of Tucson, Arizona, doesn't want dogs like Bruno to be put in unnecessary danger. "All law officers, even the four-legged ones, deserve proper protection," he says. That's why, at age eight, he started Protect Police K-9.

Michael worked tirelessly holding fundraisers, writing letters, and making speeches asking for donations. After a year and a half of hard work, he raised enough money to buy bullet-proof vests for every police dog in Tucson. "It feels good to know that the canines protecting us, are protected as well," he says.

Still Going...and Going
Even so, Michael wasn't ready to quit. His new goal was to vest police dogs in surrounding towns. We recently checked in to see how it was going. "I'm proud to say that I've raised more than $85,000," he reports. "Now, almost every working police dog in the state of Arizona has a protective vest!"

OK-is Michael finally ready to take a rest? No way! He's working with Arizona state legislators to pass a law requiring tougher penalties for harming or killing police dogs. We're betting he'll succeed.

If you live in Arizona and want to help get the law passed, go to Protect Police    K-9's web site at www.protectpolicek-9.com.