New K-9 units introduced at three West Michigan Trinity Health hospitals

At Trinity Health, our goal is to make sure every patient, colleague, and visitor feels safe coming to our facilities. We are excited to introduce two new K-9 units to our Muskegon, Shelby and Grand Haven hospitals to further this mission and bolster our safety and security program. 

On December 15, 2025, K-9 dogs Nora and Hisar began splitting time between the three hospitals. Before that, they spent six weeks training and bonding with their assigned Trinity Health Security handler, an intentional and essential process for effective teamwork. Over time, the dogs will become familiar with the hospital environments, but this process requires patience, understanding and the cooperation of all people in and around the hospitals. 

Violence against health care workers continues to rise, with health care workers five times more likely than any other type of worker to be physically attacked on the job, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. K-9 units have been shown to deter and prevent crimes at facilities, as well as decrease aggressors’ threat level. Trinity Health Grand Rapids introduced K-9 units in 2022 and, after two years, successfully de-escalated 75% of situations they were involved in. 

It’s important to emphasize these K-9s are working dogs. They should not be mistaken for therapy animals or pets. Please do not approach, pet or touch the dog unless invited by the handler. Do not offer food to the dogs or interrupt the handlers while the dogs are working. By letting these K-9 units simply focus on their duties, you will assist us in creating a safer and more secure environment for everyone in the hospital. 

The two new Trinity Health K-9 units, including the dogs, K-9 vehicles, training and initial supplies, were made possible thanks to the support of Trinity Health colleagues and medical staff members, proceeds from the Trinity Health Muskegon Hospital Gift Shoppe, and gifts from Trinity Health Grand Haven Auxiliary and the Trinity Health Muskegon and Trinity Health Grand Haven Medical Executive Committees.