Allen Hospital Welcomes K-9 Unit: Meet Krush

UnityPoint Health - Allen Hospital
Waterloo

UnityPoint Health-Allen Hospital in Waterloo recently welcomed its newest four-legged team member: Krush, a trained K-9 who will provide safety and comfort to patients, visitors, volunteers, students and staff. One of Allen Hospital’s sister hospitals, Trinity Regional Medical Center in Fort Dodge, has already acquired a security K-9, which inspired Allen staff to invest in their own furry friend.

Tyler McCormack, Allen’s security manager, reports: “They (Trinity Regional Medical Center) found a K-9 dramatically decreased workplace violence and made staff and patients feel safer.” McCormack further states that the K-9 and his training “will be key when emotions are running high during critical incidents that come into the hospital that draw large crowds of people. Just his presence alone is a deterrent.”

Krush’s training has prepared him to provide therapeutic interaction, deter disruptive behavior, reduce the use of restraints during de-escalation situations, detect controlled substances, track missing people, enhance active shooter training and many other services that will keep the public safe.

Krush is a one-year old crossbreed between a Belgian Malinois and Dutch Shepherd. The dog works alongside McCormack, his partner and owner, who also accompanied the pup during his five-week training course at High Velocity Canine in New Hartford. Krush is currently able to serve the hospital thanks to both a grant from the Allen Foundation and a generous donation of $13,000 from the Robert J. and Elizabeth G. McCoy Endowment Fund.

Kathy McCoy, the endowment fund’s designee, emphasizes the impact Krush will have on the Waterloo Community: “Our family has always been dog lovers and my parents loved giving back for something that will benefit our community. Krush will be a tremendous asset for the hospital.”

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