Use of Security K9’s in Healthcare: The Good, The Bad, and...

2017 Southeastern Safety and Security Healthcare Council Conference

Use of Security K9’s in Healthcare:The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

Presented By: William S. Marcisz, JD CPP CHPA

August 27, 2019


Uses of Security K9‘s (The Good)

• K9 is a Layer of Security | Not a Substitute

• Behavior Management• Public Relations• Therapy• Patrol Functions (Bite

Work)• Weapons Detection• Explosives Detection• Patient Tracking• Drug Detection


Considerations for a Healthcare K9 Program

• What Do You Want the K9 to do

• Is Your Hospital Ready for K9’s

• Is Your Security Program Ready

• Breed? Image/Brand Concerns

• What is Your Budget*


Value Adds• Employees Feel Safe

• Employees Feel Safe

• Force Multiplier

• Increased Security Command Presence

• Gang Interaction & Compliance

• Free PR: Increases Security’s Connection to the Organization

K9 Characteristics

• Breed

• Gender (Male / Female)

• Full Grown Size & Weight

• Odor Detection Ability

• Single or Dual Purpose

• Disposition Scale (1-Therapy / 10-Bite Work)

Breeds

Depends on Image & What You Intend to Use Dogs For:

• German Shepherds• Labrador Retrievers

• Belgian Malinois*• Akita*• Doberman Pinscher*• Belgian Sheepdog*

*Not Recommended for Hospitals & Healthcare

Issues & Barriers (The Bad)

• Cost (Purchase & Maintain Program)

• Liability Concerns• Fit to Organization• Impact on Department

(Prima-Donna Handlers)• Expertise Required to

Manage Program• Distance of Vendor &

Training• Not All Employee’s Like

Dogs / Allergies• Handler Retention*

Strict Liability Legal StandardProbably Applies In Most Cases

One Bite Rule – 17 States• General Rule: Owner Not

Necessarily Liable on Dog’s First Bite.

• Modern Rule: Breed is Dangerous or Prone to Biting: First Bite + Liability.

• Alaska, Arkansas, Idaho, Kansas, Maryland, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Wyoming

Strict Liability – 33 States

• Rule: Liability attaches regardless of whether Owner could have prevented it.

• The typical strict liability dog bite statute says that the defendant is liable if his dog bit a plaintiff and:

1) The plaintiff was legally allowed to be where the bite occurred; and,

2) The plaintiff did not provoke the dog.

• Laws in Some States Protect

Police K9’s Against Liability*

Expenses (The Ugly)

Adding (1) K9 Team - Rough Draft- Budget

LABOR (1 Security Officer)

PROGRAM REQUIREMENT DESCRIPTION COST

Security Officer K9 Handler $32,000

Daily Care Per Diem Handler compensation for daily care of canine $5,408

Overtime Additional hours worked by K9 team $7,020

Labor - Total … $44,428

OTHER PROGRAM EXPENSES

1 Canines (Fully Trained) Full Purpose Patrol/Weapons Detection (3 odors) German Shepherd $15,000

K9 Team Training Odor/Protection 160 hrs $5,000

Basic Equipment Leads, collars, training equipment, kennels, small misc. items. $2,500

Certifications Certifications $800

General Care Food, veterinary, and grooming $5,100

Records Software Reporting and training software $250

Boarding $40 per day $560

Insurance TBD $0

Other Expenses - Total … $29,210

Total Start-Up Expenses … $73,638

Ajax & Toby


K9 Handlers: What To Screen For*TIP: Partner with HR

• Communications & PR Skills

• Common Sense / Situational Awareness

• Image

• Professionalism

• Physical Ability

• Experienced K9 Handler / Pet Owner

• Enjoys Training

• Home Environment / Pet Owner

Do’s & Don’ts

• Do Have Situational Awareness

• Don’t Bring Dogs to Patient Contact Calls

• Do Use Dogs for Public Relations / Marketing

• Don’t Over Promise on K9 Capabilities

• Do Use Dogs to Raise Security’s Profile

• Don’t Show Up on the Wrong Side of You-Tube

• Do Set Up Employee Meet & Greets

• Do Charge for Selfies & Donate $$$

If You Fail to Plan

You are Planning to Fail

Final Words: Research & Planning

Click to edit Master title style

QUESTIONS?


Brenda

Use of Security K9’s in Healthcare: The Good, The Bad, and...

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