Lakeland Health adds security K-9 team
St. Joseph MI April 11 2018 — Security has increased everywhere from airports to concerts.
Now hospitals are taking extra measures too.
Lakeland Health is adding a new tool to its system and the new team member loves tennis balls.
Inez, a German shepherd, is arguably the most adorable staff member at the hospital.
Her handler Bruce Modigell is a retired police officer.
“When she’s not around, everybody asks, ‘Where’s Inez?'” said Modigell.
“Everybody that comes in contact with Inez, you just see an immediate glow on their face,” said Rich Matthews, director of safety and security.
Those smiles are just an added bonus. Inez is at the hospital to react to serious situations.
“It used to be hospitals were a safe haven,” said Matthews. “That’s just not the case anymore. Healthcare in general is the second most violent prone profession in America. That’s behind police officers.”
Matthews says the opioid crisis and mental health crisis have made security a daily issue at hospitals across the country.
Lakeland security officers added tasers just last year.
Now Inez’s presence and bomb and firearm sniffing nose are here to help.
“Just having her here. She doesn’t have to do anything. Just sitting while folks are coming into the facility helps de-escalate in many cases violent tendencies,” said Matthews.
At only two years old, Inez is still training.
“It is a lot of work. We spend numerous hours off the clock training, doing obedience, working on odors,” said Modigell.
Inez is also learning Dutch commands.
If you see Inez, remember she is working. The hospital asks you always ask the handler permission before approaching her.
