Meet Raleigh’s Working Dogs

Not all dogs are chosen for how they look—or even how they fit into a lifestyle. Some are chosen because they’re needed. Bringing a service dog into daily life comes with its own learning curve: no petting, no distractions—no exceptions. When they’re working, their focus can’t break, but what they give in return is confidence, safety and independence. From service animals navigating daily life to K-9 units and stadium stars, these pups aren’t just companions, they’re critical to the job, the moment and, sometimes, the outcome—the ones you might not even notice until you need them.

Seize the Day

This dog doesn’t just respond to emergencies—it changes everything around them.

Sierra Gruber never had a warning before a seizure—until Ally. A trained seizure detection dog, Ally can pick up on subtle physiological shifts or, when needed, spring into action—staying close, finding help fast, even jumping onto the bed post-seizure to comfort her. It’s not just response—it’s reassurance. And for Sierra, that changed everything. Before Ally, the epilepsy diagnosis felt isolating. “I didn’t really want to face it,” she says. And bringing a service dog to school wasn’t easy at first, but over time, that visibility shifted into confidence. She wasn’t just standing out—she was standing for something. “She’s the best thing that came out of my epilepsy.” Now, Sierra advocates, speaks at epilepsy walks and volunteers with her family’s nonprofit Triangle NC Epilepsy—standing fully in her diagnosis. Retired last year, Ally didn’t just help Sierra manage seizures, she helped her take control. And today, she’s still right there—not predicting every moment, but always there for it.

“She helped teach me that my epilepsy doesn’t control me—I control it.”

On the Force

In Raleigh, some officers work on four legs—providing a layer of protection no other tactic or technology can replace.

For Senior Officer Kyle Potter, every call carries uncertainty—high-risk situations where time, instinct and precision matter. And beside him: a K-9 partner trained to read what humans can’t. Before hitting the field, Tango completed more than 560 hours of handler training, certifying in everything from obedience and tracking to apprehension, search work, agility and narcotics detection. But that’s just the baseline—“only the very beginning of the training needed for a successful career as a K-9 team,” says Potter. In the field, it’s not about checking boxes—it’s about trust. K-9s live with their handlers and are deployed to clear what officers can’t—stepping into the risk so they don’t have to. “We’re often tasked with searching for violent criminals in areas that are very dangerous and hard to visually clear even with the use of newer technology,” says Potter. Tango has located suspects hiding in areas already swept by officers—finding what others couldn’t when it matters most. It’s not just skill—it’s instinct, discipline and a partnership built to hold under pressure. Because when seconds count, Tango isn’t backup—he’s the edge.

“Dogs are one of the easiest ways to learn what a picture of true loyalty looks like.”
—Sgt. Potter

Scent of Safety

Trained to detect the unthinkable, this dog works where the stakes are highest.

Sgt. Michelle Lyman measures her job by what doesn’t happen. And beside her: Peppers, a K-9 trained to detect explosives before anyone else knows there’s a threat—keeping Raleighites safe across myriad spaces. Peppers works them all, moving through crowds, venues and vehicles, identifying materials through scent alone. It’s a job built on precision—where one missed detail can carry real consequences, and distraction isn’t an option. Her initial training lasted about eight weeks, but it didn’t stop there— ongoing work ensures peak performance. “It can be intense, but the dog sees it as a fun game of hide and seek,” says Lyman. The outcome, though, is anything but a game. It’s quiet work, often invisible to people—but that’s the point. Off the clock, it’s a completely different energy. “Anytime she’s with you, it’s always a good day.  She is the happiest and most affectionate dog I’ve ever had,” says Lyman—equal parts working dog and daily reminder of how to live life to the fullest. “I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to be her leash holder and handler,” she adds. “She has taught me just as much as I’ve taught her.”

“She doesn’t allow me to have a bad day when she’s by my side.” —Sgt. Lyman

So Fetch

From Carter-Finley to Durham Bulls Athletic Park, Champ isn’t just part of the show—he’s the moment.

If you’ve been to Carter-Finley on game day, you know Champ scores touchdown-level cheers. The official kicking tee retriever for NC State Football and bat dog for the Durham Bulls (plus other cameos for good measure), he’s built a fan base that rivals the teams he supports. With big paws to fill—he’s the little brother and on-field successor to Ripken (RIP)—Champ stepped up to the plate with the kind of confidence that can be trusted. And while the job might look like all fun and games—it’s anything but behind the scenes. Dogs like Champ undergo extensive training to handle noise, crowds and unpredictable environments—learning to stay focused under pressure, retrieve with precision and perform on cue in front of tens of thousands. Off field? Still a star. From Super Bowl spots for All-Star Dog Training to a steady stream of social media moments (including ESPN’s TikTok) and viral merch, Champ has turned “working dog” into a full-blown personality—energy, obedience, poise and a touch of silliness—because not all working dogs are tasked with saving lives. Some are there to steal the show.

“I hunt baseball bats and kicking tees!” —“Champ the Retriever”