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Dogs In Search of Mold: A Noble Use For a Noble Nose
There are few things more acute and accurate in the world of nature than a dog’s sense of smell. For at least a century, we have entrusted the task of detecting truffles, missing people, bombs, drugs, arsonists and even bladder cancer to our loyal canines. The dog’s sense of smell is so ultra-sensitive that in a recent medical journal published at the Alberta Children’s Hospital at the University of Calgary it was revealed that there are even dogs who can sense their epileptic owner’s seizures. This is all through the mysterious canine power of smell. It was only a matter of time before scientists asked: Why not mold?
With techniques pioneered in Sweden that began some twenty-five years ago, highly trained dogs have been utilized in pre-sale inspections of homes to detect mold and mildew. These four legged "mold detectives" can quickly, accurately and safely screen any building for hidden mold and moisture. Slowly but surely in the last four years or so, an industry has developed in the United States with dogs trained to detect up to twenty different species of mold and mildew! The industry even boasts of its own professional organization, The International Mold Detection Dog Association.
Finding and training a "mold dog" can cost anywhere from $5,000-$10,000 dollars. Although no specific breed is used and many candidates come from the nation’s shelters and humane societies, chosen dogs must exhibit particular personality traits in order to be effective for training. A good detection dog is playful, energetic, healthy and capable of working in different surroundings without being distracted. Dogs usually begin serious scent detection training at one year of age.
Mold detection training must be ongoing, for although dogs have long-term memories as far as scent is concerned, overall accuracy will deteriorate without regular reinforcement.
In all training sessions always, the dog’s dignity, well-being and nose are all treated with the respect they deserve. Our dogs and their talents surprise us every day.
Maybe we should all start barking. Who knows what could come of it?
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