Two  Santa Ana Police Department canines have been outfitted with bulletproof vests.  One of those acquisitions has been credited to the fundraising efforts of some local kids.

A spokesperson for the department said a Dutch Shepherd named Puskas joined their ranks late last year.  The one thing he's been missing has been a ballistics vest.

So how did the purchase come about?  A group of employees at a local company decided they wanted to teach their kids about running a company.  In order to do this, they decided to hold an ice cream sale.  It was decided that all of the funds raised would be donated to a charitable cause.

The children had learned about the Santa Ana Police Department dog.  They heard about the cost, the training, and how the canine helps to save lives.  One parent reportedly said they became very passionate about the idea of helping buy him a ballistics vest.

The dog's handler said having this type of protection makes a huge difference when they are in the field.   Dogs' chests are fully exposed when they lunge toward a perpetrator.  The vest helps protect this portion of Puskas' body.

A Santa Ana Police Department representative said the company that makes the vests donated a second device for another one of their canines.   The SAPD says they will now focus on fundraising efforts that will allow them to purchase two new police dogs.

Additional information regarding those money-raising plans has not yet been made available.