Hospitals

K9 teams play a vital role in ensuring the safety and security of hospital emergency and behavioral health departments when it comes to dealing with combative patients and visitors. These highly trained teams bring a unique set of skills and expertise to effectively de-escalate volatile situations.

Proactively Keeping Your Facility Safe

We purposefully provide “pointy-eared” K9 teams in hospitals as a visual deterrent to combat violent behavior. Although our pointy-eared canines are single purpose firearm and explosive detection canines their reputation in law enforcement elicits a positive change to bad behavior.

In situations where patients or visitors exhibit combative behavior, the K9 teams are trained to assess the situation and respond appropriately. With their exceptional obedience and control, these canines provide an added layer of protection to hospital staff, allowing them to focus on delivering necessary medical care without compromising their safety.

Want to learn more about the value of our K9 Team Program?

Benefits Beyond Security

K9 teams  have a calming and de-escalating effect in tense situations. The mere presence of these canines can help defuse conflicts and reduce the likelihood of aggressive behavior. In cases that involve behavioral health patients, the presence of a K9 team can provide a comforting and therapeutic influence, helping to lower anxiety and tension.

Testimonial

  • “When I first heard our hospital client was considering an explosives-detection K9 at their facility, I was skeptical to say the least. I saw no value in the idea beyond the deterrence and behavior management that comes with a German Shepherd walking into a situation. I talked with a colleague who told me some of the K9s in his program were explosives-detection trained and explained that they could identify people who were carrying firearms. I still didn’t quite get it. Our client hosts a weekly dinner for people in need. An inordinate number of incidents occur at the dinner as many of the attendees have mental health issues and anti-social tendencies, which is why we have an armed officer, an unarmed officer and the K9 team there. When I read the daily report, I learned that the canine discovered a weapon in a visitor’s pocket and the Zebra K9 team removed the weapon from the event. I get it now!”

    Terry L. Jones, MA., CPP, CHPA, Vice President at Teachout Security Solutions