Mobile Infirmary Welcomes K9 Teams to Enhance Hospital Safety

Mobile Infirmary is introducing three specially trained canine teams to its Protective Services department as part of its ongoing efforts to enhance hospital safety and prevent workplace violence.

The new teams include Cayde and Star, both one-year-old German shepherds, and Pete, a one-year-old Belgian Malinois. Their handlers bring nearly four decades of combined experience to the program.

The teams will patrol inpatient areas and the emergency department, working alongside Protective Services officers to identify and respond to potentially confrontational situations.

“Our primary objective is to patrol the hospital, including inpatient areas and the emergency department,” said Mary Tabor, vice president and chief nursing officer at Mobile Infirmary. “If a situation escalates and their assistance is needed, the teams will be deployed to that area.”

The dogs have undergone extensive training in canine-assisted de-escalation, including socialization, situational awareness and environmental awareness. Their presence is intended to help reduce tension and encourage cooperation while also creating opportunities for positive interactions with patients, visitors and employees.

“Feeling safe is an important part of the care experience, whether you’re a patient, a family member or a member of our team,” said Steve Saflin, director of Protective Services at Infirmary Health. “These dogs give us another way to connect with people and help put them at ease. We want people to see our Protective Services team as a resource they can turn to, and these canine teams will help us build those connections in a very natural way.”

Susan Boudreau, president of Mobile Infirmary, emphasized the importance of taking a proactive approach to workplace safety.

“We have an obligation to our community, our patients, their families and our employees to keep our workplace safe,” Boudreau explained. “This is one of several measures we’ve implemented to help fulfill that responsibility.”

The canine teams will officially begin their duties Nov. 15, with overnight coverage Monday through Thursday and around-the-clock coverage on weekends.