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Lehigh Valley, Pa. (March 31, 2025) – Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN), part of Jefferson Health, has added two security K-9s capable of detecting firearms. Dexter and Cisco have started making rounds at LVHN hospitals and major health network and community events.
“Keeping our patients, colleagues and community safe continues to be our focus,” says Ryan Hay, administrator of Emergency Operations and Public Safety.
Dexter is a male black Labrador retriever. His name means fortunate and skilled.
Cisco is a female springer spaniel. Her name is associated with being free and of a lively spirit.
Both dogs are about age 1 1/2.
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.
Video available for download here.
About Jefferson
Lehigh Valley Health Network is now proudly part of Jefferson Health. Nationally ranked, Jefferson, which is principally located in the Greater Philadelphia region, Lehigh Valley and northeastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey, is reimagining health care and higher education to create unparalleled value. Jefferson is more than 65,000 people strong, dedicated to providing the highest-quality, compassionate clinical care for patients; making our communities healthier and stronger; preparing tomorrow's professional leaders for 21st-century careers; and creating new knowledge through basic/programmatic, clinical and applied research. Thomas Jefferson University, home of Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Jefferson College of Nursing, and the Kanbar College of Design, Engineering and Commerce, dates back to 1824 and today comprises 10 colleges and three schools offering 200+undergraduate and graduate programs to more than 8,300 students. Jefferson Health, nationally ranked as one of the top 15 not-for-profit health care systems in the country and the largest provider in the Philadelphia and Lehigh Valley areas, serves patients through millions of encounters each year at 32 hospitals and more than 700 outpatient and urgent care locations throughout the region. Jefferson Health Plans is a not-for-profit managed health care organization providing a broad range of health coverage options in Pennsylvania and New Jersey for more than 35 years.
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