by Shane Henson — June 20, 2014—The University of Tennessee Medical Center recently became the first hospital in the state of Tennessee to implement a dedicated, full-time K-9 program, the hospital announced. Representatives from the medical center’s security department say the addition of two dogs to the force will serve as a calming influence for patients, visitors, and staff while also providing an extra layer of safety at the region’s academic medical center.
The presence and calming effect of the dogs are expected to be a great benefit during this time of rapid growth at the medical center. As an example, the emergency department at the medical center, according to hospital records, has seen an approximate 35 percent increase in patient volumes in the past five years.
“We’ve been fortunate to have a very safe campus, and we’re confident from our research of other hospitals around the country that the addition of the K-9 program will further enhance safety and security for everyone at the medical center,” said Lt. Brandon Ingram, who oversees the K-9 program.
While the dogs are highly trained for numerous safety aspects, Ingram said, their obedience training makes them quite approachable, with permission from the handlers. Ingram said hospitals with similar programs report that the dogs often have a therapeutic effect on visitors and employees alike.
The dogs, both Belgian Malinois (also called Belgian Shepherd Dogs), earned certifications earlier this month and will immediately go on patrol at the medical center. Koda, a 60-pound, 21-month-old male with a calm demeanor, and Kimber, a 75-pound, 2-year-old female who views every movement around her with heightened awareness, and their handlers just completed an intense five-week long training at the Knoxville, Tennessee, area location of the internationally renowned dog training facility Cobra Canine.
