ProMedica Acquires First Dual-Purpose Security Dog

ProMedica has recently implemented a canine program to provide its security team with another resource to enhance safety at ProMedica hospitals.

Jozef is a fully trained dual-purpose service dog whose primary role is to help keep patients, visitors and caregivers safe. He is specialty trained to perform building area searches, scent tracking, staff protection and firearms detection on command. He is also trained in pet therapy and will serve in a therapeutic role. As a loving, approachable canine, he will provide compassion to the people he encounters. He is the first canine to come on board, with plans to bring in two additional canines over the next two years.

Brad Conner, ProMedica administrative director of security, voice operations & disaster management, said, “Jozef was brought in as a preventative measure. He is a working dog who will respond to the commands of his handler, Officer Nick Buchan.  They will be seen walking the hallways throughout various ProMedica hospitals but will spend the majority of the time at ProMedica Toledo Hospital.  Jozef will not be a stranger in the ProMedica Toledo Children’s Hospital, where children can pet him, allowing him to help create a more comfortable environment for them.”

All patient visits are pre-scheduled and special care is taken when introducing the dog, including distributing collector cards with Jozef’s picture and information.

ProMedica is a mission-based, not-for-profit integrated healthcare organization headquartered in Toledo, Ohio. It serves communities in 28 states. The organization offers acute and ambulatory care, an insurance company with a dental plan, and post-acute and academic business lines. The organization has more than 56,000 employees, 13 hospitals, 2,100+ physicians and advanced practice providers with privileges, 900+ healthcare providers employed by ProMedica Physicians, a health plan, and nearly 400 assisted living facilities, skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers, memory care communities, outpatient rehabilitation clinics, and hospice and home health care agencies. Driven by its Mission to improve your health and well-being, ProMedica has been nationally recognized for its advocacy programs and efforts to address social determinants of health. For more information about ProMedica, please visit www.promedica.org/about-us.