EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. — A fundraising campaign is underway to help equip El Dorado County Sheriff’s K9 Officer Evi with a custom patrol vest tailored to her small frame, a vital piece of equipment for her safety during high-risk assignments. Evi, a four-year-old Belgian Malinois imported from Germany, joined the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office (EDSO) in 2023 and partners with Deputy Sheriff Walker Combs on patrol throughout the county.
Because EDSO’s K9 program operates differently from many law-enforcement models, handlers personally own their service dogs and lease them back to the department. This approach means the handlers are responsible for food, routine medical care, specialized gear, and recovery if either the handler or dog is injured. To support those needs, the Sheriff’s Office established the nonprofit El Dorado County Canine Association, which provides funding for equipment and veterinary care.
Evi’s current challenge is one that off-the-shelf gear can’t solve. At just under the typical weight range for her breed, available patrol vest sizes are either too tight—restricting her breathing—or too loose, riding up and exposing vital areas during deployment. A properly fitted SWAT-grade vest costs approximately $4,000. 
“K9 Evi works the same dangerous calls as any patrol dog, and she deserves equipment that protects her without slowing her down,”
the Sheriff’s Office said in a public statement.
“A custom vest ensures she can safely continue serving the residents of El Dorado County.”
To raise the needed funds, CompK9, in partnership with the El Dorado County Canine Association, is hosting the first major community event of the campaign: Portraits with Santa on Saturday, December 6, 2025. The fundraiser—held with the support of photographer Linda Blake of Karma Rocks Photography—invites families, children, and pets for holiday portraits featuring Santa, Christmas, and winter-themed backdrops. A $30 donation covers each portrait session, with all proceeds earmarked directly for Evi’s vest.
Walk-ins are welcome, and preregistered participants will receive calls the week before to schedule times. Donations may also be made directly to Evi’s Vest Fund through the official 501(c)(3) QR code, with contributions qualifying as tax-deductible.
Organizers say the community’s support is critical. “Evi gives her all to keep this county safe,” said one volunteer. “This is our chance to give something back.”
Residents can view photos of Evi, learn more about the fundraiser, or donate through the links and QR code provided by CompK9 and the El Dorado County Canine Association.
