DogWatch® of Upstate NY Donates Medic Kits to Bassett Healthcare Network’s K-9 Security Team

ONEONTA - DogWatch® of Upstate NY, LLC, has generously donated four medic kits to Bassett Healthcare Network’s K-9 security unit. Each kit contains over 90 items, including bandages, antiseptic, a thermometer, tweezers, emergency blanket, booklet of canine first aid information, and other emergency supplies, selected by veterinarians to best serve the needs of working dogs.

Bob and Aileen Howard, the owners and operators of DogWatch® of Upstate NY, presented four kits, one for each of Bassett’s four K-9 teams, to the unit on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, during a K-9 training session at Damaschke Field, home of the Oneonta Outlaws baseball team. The Outlaws generously allow the K-9 unit to use the field for training exercises.

DogWatch® of Upstate NY services and sells outdoor hidden dog fences, indoor pet fences, and electronic dog training collars in 12 Central New York counties. “It was a real treat for us to see the K-9s at work and get a true sense of how they are trained to keep hospitals secure,” said Bob Howard. “We are pleased to provide medic kits to Bassett’s K-9s and their handlers,” said Aileen Howard, “We hope they provide added peace of mind to these officers and that they are never put in a situation where they need to fully use them.”

As part of the training session, the K-9s were brought in by their handlers one by one to a locker room where certain items were hidden. It was the K-9’s job to seek those items out and signal to their handler where they were located. Tracking simulation exercises are a key part of regular training for Bassett’s K-9s.

“K-9 officers serve a critical purpose throughout our healthcare network. They are extensively trained and keenly alert at all times when on the job. Their presence alone can immediately de-escalate a tense situation,” said Officer Robert Meiser, Supervisor of Bassett Healthcare Network’s K-9 Unit and handler of K-9 Hudson.

K-9s Hudson, Coal, Hutch, and Dank work at hospitals and clinic campuses across Bassett’s eight-county network. In addition to the K-9 team, Bassett's security department consists of 46 security officers who act as a reassuring presence and resource for staff, patients, and visitors. They respond to emergencies and are the network's liaison with area law enforcement.

“Healthcare workers are, unfortunately, constantly at risk of facing threatening behavior, verbal assaults, and even violent attacks. All of Bassett’s security officers, including our K-9s, work hard to ensure our workplaces remain safe and secure at all times,” said Andrew Zuk, Director of Security for Bassett Healthcare Network. “On behalf of all of our K-9 handlers, I thank Bob and Aileen for their generous donation of these medic kits. We work hard to always be prepared for any emergency and these kits will help in those efforts.”

DogWatch® of Upstate NY has offered to re-supply the medic kits, should items in them be used and need replacement. They have also offered to donate additional kits, if any new K-9s are added to the unit in the future.

Bassett Healthcare Network’s K-9 handlers stand with Bob and Aileen Howard of DogWatch of Upstate NY, LLC. Each handler is holding their medic kit. From left to right, Andrew Zuk, Director of Security; Officer Lynda May, K-9 Handler; Officer Ryan Salisbury, K-9 Handler; Bob Howard; Aileen Howard; Officer Robert Meiser, K-9 Handler; Officer Jeffrey Bever, K-9 Handler; and Chris Lehenbauer, Manager of Security Operations