Two LVHN security officers, Kasey O’Connell and Ed Mayer, are their full-time handlers.
“We’re looking forward to introducing Dexter and Cisco to the community,” says O’Connell, who is paired with Cisco. “They have rotating schedules that involve visiting multiple campuses.”
Visitors are encouraged to please ask before petting the K-9s while they’re working.
“Dexter and Cisco are friendly faces in the hospitals, despite their highly skilled and important role to detect firearms,” says Mayer, who is paired with Dexter.
The K-9s’ scent detection capabilities are so precise that they can often detect a firearm simply when walking into a room.
“While they’ll be used for specific detection when there is an increased concern, they are also constantly sniffing for weapons as they routinely make their way through units and public spaces,” says John Christman, director of Security Services.
Together, the officers and dogs passed a National Detection Certification conducted by two independent certifying officials from out of state.
LVHN acquired the K-9s from Stapleton Security, which provides detection and security services across the country and has its K-9 training facility in East Stroudsburg.
The K-9s were trained by Frank Reda, who has more than 30 years of experience. He has worked with hundreds of law enforcement agencies nationwide and is contracted by the Department of Homeland Security as a subject matter expert on K-9 detection.
Reda handpicked Dexter and Cisco for LVHN.
LVHN modeled its K-9 program after that of Hartford Health, which has shown much success.
Using K-9s to detect weapons is a leading-edge safety initiative. The program is a proactive strategy that invests in LVHN’s long-standing commitment to safety.
