Proud to Partner with North Carolina Disaster Dogs

Jeffrey Matuszak

Oct 2

2 min read

Meet Rex

If you've seen the photo making the rounds on our LinkedIn page, you've already met Rex. He's the dog standing on a pile of broken concrete, next to a battered sedan, looking like he owns the place. In a way, he does. That rubble pile is his classroom.

Rex is one of the search and rescue dogs on Lori's team at North Carolina Disaster Dogs. Lori and her team of dogs and trainers will be based out of our new Durham location, and we couldn't be happier to have them there.

Training for the worst day

When a building collapses, a storm floods a neighborhood, or someone goes missing, search and rescue dogs are often among the first resources called in. A trained dog can cover ground and detect human scent in places where people and equipment can't easily reach, like voids under fallen concrete or tangled debris.

That ability doesn't come naturally. It's built through repetition, in conditions that look as much like the real thing as possible. Unstable footing, tight spaces, wrecked vehicles, and loud, unfamiliar environments all become routine for a dog like Rex. The handlers train just as hard, learning to read their dogs and work safely alongside them.

North Carolina has seen its share of hurricanes and flooding. Teams like Lori's are part of what makes the state ready to respond when it matters most.

A community partnership

Carolina Metal Fabricators is proud to be a community partner for North Carolina disaster preparedness, supporting the North Carolina Disaster Dogs Regional Training Center at 7020 Mt. Hermon Church Rd. in Durham.

We're in good company. D.H. Griffin Construction and Triangle Search Dogs are also community partners, and together we're backing an organization whose whole mission is being ready before disaster hits.

Why it matters to us

At CMF, we spend our days building things meant to hold up under pressure. Steel that carries a load, structures that stand when conditions get rough. So we have a lot of respect for people who prepare for the moments when things don't hold up, and who run toward the damage when everyone else is getting clear of it.

The Triangle is our home. Our crews, our customers, and our families live here. Supporting a team that trains to protect this community is an easy decision, and a meaningful one.

Thank you, Lori and team

To Lori and her trainers: thank you for the hours you put in, the skill you bring, and the work you do on behalf of North Carolina. We're proud to stand alongside you.

And to Rex: keep up the good work. You're a very good boy.

Want to learn more about North Carolina Disaster Dogs or support their work? Follow the team on Facebook.