Dog gone good deed Published Oct. 30, 2006 By Paige Hughes Air Force Weather Agency Public Affairs OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. -- Kara Bramhill, 13 and her sister Kristen, 11, along with their friend, Arti presented Cass County with a check for $1980.00 15 June to purchase protective vests for their city and county canine officers, Ago and Reno. "It took a long time to raise the money, but it's a great feeling to know we did," said Kara. Kara and Kristen are the daughters of Lt. Col. Michael Bramhill, deputy director, Air and Space Sciences, Air Force Weather Agency. The girls began their fundraising for the vests two years ago. They placed donation cans in area stores and recently reached their goal, funds to purchase two protective vests. "This is a big benefit. The dogs are placed in dangerous situations, and they run the chance of getting hurt," said Officer Pablo Jimenez, Reno's handler. Last December, Reno was assaulted. "He was punched several times in the head, luckily the suspect didn't have a weapon," said Deputy Rob Rice, Ago's handler. Both handlers have had their canine partners for more than two years and the dogs live with them. "You not only work with them every day, but you care for them every day, too," said Deputy Rice. According to Rice, there's an attachment that many people don't realize. Kara, Kristen and Arti did realize the attachment and the need to protect these four-legged officers. They couldn't have been prouder to present the handlers with the funds to help protect their canine partners. "The vests will provide extra security to our dogs and the dog handler. This is an excellent idea these young ladies came up with," said Officer Brad Kreifel, assistant chief of police for Plattsmouth after accepting the check. The dogs will be measured for their vests next week and should have them in six weeks.