KOLD News 13Arizona Mold Dog

Arizona Mold Dog

Mark Stine KOLD News 13 Reporter
Posted: 2-6-06

He looks like a pet, acts like a pet, but sniffs like a trained professional. He's Rocky, Arizona's mold dog.

Rocky and trainer John Setford have been hunting hidden mold for a year.

"Mold is a health hazard," Setford told KOLD.

John says you should let Rocky sniff around your home if you have any warning signs. "When people feel sick inside their homes, they're sneezing, they're coughing, they've got headaches, they feel like they have the flu and then they go outside and they feel better."

John and Rocky practice at least an hour each day to keep Rocky's certification current. John put a sample of mold in the fountain in his house and one in the fireplace. Now it's Rocky's job to find them.

Setford said, "We practice with five different molds at a time, then I put those away and pull out another five. So he's not constantly smelling the same mold smell."

Rocky also trains on a wheel outside. Each cup has an item in it, but only one has mold. Once Rocky successfully sniffs out the mold, John rewards him with a snack.

So far the trainings paying off. John and Rocky have been through more than 75 homes in Southern Arizona. And John says Rocky is 90% accurate.

Using his keen since of smell, Rocky recently sniffed out mold in a home in Green Valley. "We found the wallpaper on one wall, I peeled it back because there was a very strong odor and I noticed black spots on the paper itself and then as I turned it over it was covered with the black mold."

John says even if you think you have mold in your house, it's good to get it checked out. "When you think you have something you have anxiety attacks over thinking well do I, do I, do I, well let's find out. Let's find out if you do or not."

For more information call 520-203-6616 or click this link. www.azmolddog.com