In The News

Ellis Medicine Introduces New K9 Security Dog

Friday, August 2, 2024

Schenectady, N.Y. – The newest member of Ellis Medicine’s Safety and Security Department got an official introduction to hospital staff and the community today and the four-legged, 16-month-old German Shepherd is already a favorite among his peers.

Wik is a welcome addition to the Ellis team and will support safety and security programs at Ellis facilities. He took over the responsibilities of Cargo, Ellis Medicine’s first security dog, who joined the department in 2015 and retired in 2023. The mere presence of Wik and his handler, Keith Kruziak of Ellis’ Safety and Security Department, can help deter any poor behavior and reduce potential security incidents. The K9, who is trained in patrol and protection, and Kruziak will regularly roam the Ellis properties and be posted in sensitive areas.

“K9 units are effective in deterring workplace stress due to their ability to provide rapid response, build trust within the healthcare community, and detect any potential threats,” said Keith Edwards, director of Safety and Security at Ellis. “We had great success with Cargo over the eight years he was with us and we wanted to continue our K9 program, and potentially expand it, with a new dog or dogs. Wik is already excelling in his role and we know our staff and our patients will love him like they loved Cargo.”

David and Susan Theobald, owners of Davin Healthcare Workforce Solutions, dog lovers, and generous supporters of Ellis Medicine, provided a significant donation that helped fund the purchase and weeks-long training of Wik by a professional K9 trainer.

"My wife Susan and I are deeply passionate and honored to help restart the K-9 security program at Ellis Medicine. Our commitment to healthcare and workplace safety initiatives is unwavering. As a former ER nurse, I understand firsthand the importance of raising awareness and enhancing workplace safety by deescalating potential violence in the emergency rooms and beyond. Our hope and vision are that the Ellis Medicine K-9 program will foster a sense of security, trust, support, and safety among clinicians and patients. We are excited to witness how Wik, the K-9, and his handler can help bolster engagement and morale, creating a safer and more supportive healthcare environment for all," said David Theobald.

“We are thankful to David and Susan for their generous support of our K9 security program. They know very well the impact that K9 teams can have on creating safe and more secure health care environments for staff and patients alike. Through their generous support we are able to introduce our newest K9 team – Wik and his very capable handler, Keith Kruziak – who have already begun their work here at Ellis. It is our hope that we will be able to expand this program and bring additional K9 teams to Ellis,” said Chris Jordan, COO of Ellis Medicine.

“We are deeply grateful for this remarkable program, and extend our sincere thanks to David and Susan for their invaluable contributions,” said Paul Milton, CEO of Ellis Medicine. “The K-9 program significantly enhances the dynamic layer of our safety and security efforts across all campuses.”

The National Center for Biotechnology has found that a hospital K9 program can reduce incidences of violence and criminal acts by up to 85%. After Cargo’s arrival in 2015, the program quickly became a vital part of the hospital’s safety plan. During his time at Ellis, Cargo’s presence resulted in a 90% reduction in potential violent activity when compared to times when he and his handler were not on site.

“Ellis care teams depended on Cargo’s ability to sense when an individual was feeling anxious, emotional, or angry and his presence helped proactively stop the behavior and avoid escalation. Cargo and his handler, Rick Rhodes, were welcomed faces and heroes when stressful situations arose,” said Edwards. “We expect nothing less from Wik and Keith.”

Ellis is continuing to seek donations from the community to support Wik’s ongoing veterinary care, grooming, food, and additional training and to cover the costs of purchasing and training another K9. Interested donors can contact The Foundation for Ellis Medicine at 518.243.4600 or ellisfoundation@ellismedicine.org.

Ellis Medicine | Newsroom

Ellis Medicine Media Inquiries

Media inquiries should be directed to the Communications Department at Ellis Medicine. The Communications Department is open and staffed Monday through Friday, from 9:00 am until 5:00 pm. The department can be reached by phone at 518.232.9288. If you leave a message your call will typically be returned within 24 hours.

All official communications regarding Ellis Medicine are arranged through the Communications Department. We look forward to working with members of the public and media organizations to provide accurate, up-to-date information about Ellis Medicine.

Contact:

Communications
Ellis Medicine
1101 Nott Street
Schenectady, NY 12308
518.232.9288