PJ Fitzpatrick Giving Hammer – K9 Rex

Helping A Hero: PJ Fitzpatrick Raised Over $1,000 For K9 Rex’s Ballistic Vest

At PJ Fitzpatrick, supporting our community goes beyond improving homes—it’s about protecting those who protect us, both human and canine. One recent effort that’s especially close to our hearts involved K9 Rex, a dedicated police dog with the Harrisburg Police Department.

Rex’s Story: A True Hero In Action

On June 9th, during a high-stakes chase, K9 Rex was shot while pursuing a suspect. Despite the danger, Rex did what he was trained to do—serve and protect alongside his handler. Thankfully, Rex is making a strong recovery and, despite his tough job, has proven to be an incredibly sweet and affectionate dog.

However, this incident highlighted a concerning reality: while K9s like Rex are invaluable to police departments, they aren’t always provided with the essential protective gear they need—like ballistic vests. These vests, which help shield dogs from gunfire and other threats, cost around $1,800—a steep price tag for many departments that rely on community support for such expenses.

Our Commitment To Protecting Those Who Serve

When Mike Jones, a dog trainer who works with police K9 units (including Rex), brought this need to our attention, we knew we had to act. Pete Fitzpatrick Jr., Head of Charitable Giving at PJ Fitzpatrick, wholeheartedly supported the mission. “At PJ Fitzpatrick our four-legged friends have always been important to our team.”

Through an online store, employees could donate their Fitzbucks (our internal recognition rewards) toward the fundraiser. For every Fitzbuck donated, we matched the donation dollar for dollar. Thanks to the generosity of our incredible team, we raised over $1,000 toward Rex’s new vest!

How You Can Help

At PJ Fitzpatrick, we’re proud to stand behind those who protect us—whether they walk on two legs or four. “In addition to Rex, we’ve worked with a number of local animal shelters to help employees cover adoption fees,” Fitzpatrick shared.

If you’d like to continue supporting Rex and other K9 heroes, you can learn more about the trainers who worked with Rex at Alpha Pack K9s. Every donation, big or small, helps ensure these brave dogs get the protection they need to do their jobs safely.

If you know a family or individual in need of home repairs, you can nominate someone today by visiting our community partnership page.