Mold Dog to the Rescue in DelMarVa

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Mold snoop to the rescue

Shore's first Mold Dog can sniff out toxins

http://www.delmarvanow.com/oceanpines/stories/20050629/2172395.html

Wednesday, June 29, 2005

By Purnell

Staff Writer, DelMarvaNow.com

[Referring to the peninsula split between Delaware, land, Virginia]

Kali receives a treat and a scratch from Warren after a hard day's

work in his home in Ocean Villas in West Ocean City.

OCEAN CITY -- Kali is a frisky, friendly, female black Portuguese water dog

-- a purebred with a long history of assisting fishermen in its native

European country on the Iberian Peninsula.

Here in Ocean City, the 2-year-old Kali is still very much of a working dog,

only it's not at the commercial fishing harbor docks or at one of the

resort's many marinas.

Kali is a specially trained dog that is able to sniff out a range of 18

types of toxic molds, commonly found in homes and places of business. The

highly intelligent dog, owned and handled by Warren , 58, of West

Ocean City, is able to search and locate a variety of toxins that often make

people ill or contribute to the so-called sick-building syndrome.

Sick-building syndrome, even in brand new buildings, has become a serious

health problem in recent years, just as toxic molds in the home have caused

allergic reactions, which make breathing hard and some people ill.

This is where Kali can help.

" Dogs have a much keener sense of smell than humans, " says owner , who

has opened a business with his highly-trained and beloved pet. He and Kali

call themselves the Mold Snoop, LLC and work out of 's home off Route

707.

Dubbed the " Eastern Shore's first Mold Dog, " Kali and have been

certified for mold inspection and testing. is certified by the by the

National Association of Mold Professionals and Kali, by the renowned Florida

Canine Academy, operated by Whitstine.

The Florida canine school and Whitstine are widely recognized for their

training of bomb, arson and drug-sniffing dogs, according to . About

five years ago, the Florida school began working with researchers to

investigate how dogs could be trained to detect molds.

After several years of study, researchers concluded that dogs could be

trained to sniff out specific microbial volatile organic compounds

associated with more than 18 species of the most commonly found molds,

says.

Dogs have been used to detect mold for more than 20 years in Europe,

according to the Florida canine school. Traditional methods of mold

detection -- meters and other devices -- can be costly and often take weeks

for results to be returned.

" Certified mold dogs generate quicker and more accurate results, which leads

to lower remediation costs for homeowners and insurers, " says.

For example, microorganisms often grow in hidden places -- behind wall

linings, in floors or places not visible to the human eye. Health complaints

can occur even after the moisture damage has dried, says , adding that

gaseous substances and spores can also be emitted long after drying.

With the aid of Kali, a $12,500 purebred, can conduct a thorough

inspection. At places where Kali marks a microbial odor, samples are taken

for microbiological analysis, according to . During a building

inspection, Kali is accompanied by , a professional dog handler and

experienced consultant.

Using a sniffer dog and handler can often avoid destruction of materials,

such as walls, and building themselves, says .

Sniffer-dog trainer Whitsine, a certified master trainer, has more than 15

years of experience training bomb, arson, drug, termite and other dogs. He

has been featured on the Discovery Channel and other cable television shows.

Mold Snoop uses the traditional methods of detecting toxins, including air

sampling, surface swabs, moisture detection and by using Kali's skills,

is able to pinpoint the precise location of mold colonies -- either

active or dormant -- often avoiding costly demolition.

Each day, hides molds kept in containers in the fridge so Kali will

stay on top of scents and practice, practice, practice. The dog needs

frequent exercise and is also known for its prowess for bomb sniffing in the

U.S. Navy, says .

" Mold is a scary buzz word these days, " says . " With Kali sniffing

around, she'll smell the scent then sit down. As with police canine dogs,

mold sniffers have their own language and are told to 'seek' and 'find.'

" Then, she'll sit, " says, adding " if dogs can sniff out bombs, drugs,

people and arson, they can sniff out mold. "

About 85 percent of mold in residences and businesses are hidden.

" Park it, " is one of the commands gives Kali -- meaning to sit down.

" Seek " is a word that means, " Let's get to work, " the handler says and the

dog understands that an odor needs pinpointing.

A promising new area of business for Mold Snoop is sniffing around new

buildings before the dry wall is installed. " Find it before you seal it up, "

is the idea, says .

Begun late last year, the Mold Snoop has done work for real estate agents,

homeowners and others.

" I've got the best job in the world, " says , giving Kila an

encouraging tap. " You can't beat this. "

Reach Purnell at 410-213-9442, Ext. 16 or e-mail

jpurnell@...

Originally published Wednesday, June 29, 2005