Service dogs Coverage

Missing Phoenix fire search and rescue dog found in neighbor's swimming pool

A trained search and rescue dog in Arizona forced its owners to go on a search of their own.

'He's become part of the family here': Cosmo the black lab serves as Durham Fire Department's emotional support animal

A 2-year-old black lab named Cosmo helps Durham firefighters with trauma they've seen.

Sarah Krueger, WRAL Durham reporter

Puppy raisers needed: Volunteers help pups become service dogs

Duke Puppy Kindergarten has a need for "puppy raisers," or volunteers to take care of puppies until they are ready to begin training to become service dogs.

FedEx driver fired for stealing family's service dog

A FedEx driver has been fired after he stole a family's service dog in Helena, Alabama.

Dogs in California training to sniff for COVID-19

Grommet is still learning. He can sniff out a positive COVID-19 sample. His handlers believe he can sniff it out on a person as well.

Blind therapy dog overcomes challenge to spread love

At 11 years old, Willow the Australian Shepherd is a loyal companion to Elizabeth Slone and a dutiful therapy dog.

TSA shares 2021 dog calendar

K-9 teams work at more than 100 of the nation's airports, mass-transit and maritime systems. Now, a few of those four-legged agents are featured in their own calendar.

NC nonprofit pairs injured veterans with rescue dogs

Wilmington-based Canines for Service is the best of both worlds -- it pairs rescue dogs with injured veterans or those suffering from PTSD.

Happy 1st Birthday, Weston!

How's your training going? How are things going with Canine Companions for Independence?

Mall in Ohio opens up as a training ground for service dogs

A mall in Ohio is stepping up to help a nonprofit that trains service dogs for children and veterans.

NC State research helps puppies to become guide dogs

One Ph.D. student's research at North Carolina State University is helping pick which puppies will successfully become a service dog.

Eddi Cabrera Blanco, 2020 CBC-UNC Diversity Fellow

Ry-Con victim: 'Justice is a slow-moving beast'

Rebecca Peluso bought a service dog from Ry-Con. She talked to WRAL News after the owner of the company was arrested.

Ry-Con Service Dogs founder indicted on 42 counts of fraud

The president of a Raleigh company that promised customers service dogs and closed its doors in November now faces fraud charges.

Wake County service dog supplier arrested, faces fraud charges

The president of a Raleigh company that promised customers service dogs and closed its doors in November now faces fraud charges, Attorney General Josh Stein said Tuesday.

New rules could ban all service animals but dogs on planes

Airlines could soon be able to ban all animals, except for dogs, from airplane cabins.

Meet Weston: Future assistance dog

WRAL's Monica Laliberte introduces her new service dog, Weston.

New class begins puppy kindergarten, and Monica gains a new family member

A special class of 2019 has arrived at Duke University. Anya, Aries, Weston, Ying, Yolanda, Zax and Zina are the newest Canine Companions for Independence puppies temporarily living and playing at Duke University's Canine Cognition Center.

Service dog graduates college with owner

Chief the golden retriever graduated from the University of Maryland-Baltimore County with his owner, Erica Haschert. Chief stole the show at commencement, as the university's mascot is also a retriever.

Pets posing as service animals: How untrained animals put others at risk

The owners of a service dog that was attacked in a restaurant are making a plea to pet owners - only bring your dog where it is legally allowed, and if your dog cannot control itself in public, keep it at home.

Service dog attacked by emotional support dog; a family's plea to other pet owners

The owners of a service dog that was attacked in a restaurant are making a plea to pet owners - only bring your dog where it is legally allowed, and if your dog cannot control itself in public, keep it at home.

Service dog vs. emotional support dog: What's the difference and where are they allowed?

The owners of a service dog that was attacked in a restaurant are making a plea to pet owners - only bring your dog where it is legally allowed, and if your dog cannot control itself in public, keep it at home.

CSI Canines: Fire dogs sniff out source, helping human investigators

After extinguishing the flames, firefighters send in their "top dogs" to investigate. 5 On Your Side follows these remarkable four-legged detectives.

Intentional fires give human, dog investigators real-world training

Fire set intentionally serve a critical purpose. They offer a chance for training - for firefighters to beat down the flames, and for investigators both human and canine to get to the source of the blaze.

Monica Laliberte, WRAL executive producer/consumer reporter

5 On Your Side: Dogs sniff out clues after a fire

After extinguishing the flames, firefighters send in their "top dogs" to investigate. 5 On Your Side discovers the important clues only they can sniff out.

Students use technology to make service dog prosthetic paw

A Torrington school's service dog with a missing paw may soon be running a little bit faster. Students at Torrington Middle School are using technology to make a prosthetic paw.