You may have seen Inez and Hiro, 7- and
4-year-old German shepherds walking the
halls of our hospitals with their K-9 officer
handlers. Both K-9 dogs are highly trained
in detecting explosives. Another important
part of their job is to support the safety of
team members and visitors alike and deliver
a comforting, friendly presence.
“In most situations, including tense ones,
when someone sees a dog walk in, they
become much calmer,” said Al DiBrito,
manager security services, Corewell Health.
“The first thing they say is, ‘Can I pet your
dog?’ or ‘Is your dog friendly?’”
Why the need for added support? Health care workers are five times more likely to be victims of
workplace violence than any other profession. Safety and security dogs help de-escalate aggressive
situations and keep team members, patients and visitors safe.
The K-9 Division works and trains at Corewell Health facilities across Southwest and West Michigan.
Through these ongoing security collaborations, our friends and neighbors can expect to see more
friendly and furry faces in the future.