OUR MOLD DETECTING K9'S
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Meet our 3 most valuable partners Jack, Zora, and Karma. "One-Eyed" Jack is a 7 year-old Jack Russell Terrier that is missing one of his eyes, hence the name "One-Eyed" Jack. Jack was rescued from a shelter in Florida and trained as one of the first mold detection dogs in the country. Jack proved to be such a valuable assest that Zora, a 5 year-old yellow lab, was added to our business in the second quarter of '05. Zora comes to us from Southern California and was previously a bomb detection dog at Disneyland. The isolation at Disneyland was not suitable to Zora's personality. Odor is odor so it was a simple process for the experts at Falco K-9 Academy to quickly retrain her to find mold.
Karma age 3 is our newest and most |
| versatile member. Karma is a puddlepointer, a relatively new breed (in the last 100 years, imported from Germany) and loves to work. Karma is excellent in covering large areas such as commercial applications and will work off leash, which at times makes her even more effective. We believe that with these 3 excellent but individually unique K-9s we can offer the broadest and best mold detection available today.
While Jack, Zora, and Karma are working dogsthey spend the bulk of their time as normal household pets. In fact, work time is really equivalent to play time. These beautiful animals are extremely well treated and have a wonderful life. They even fly routinely in the cabin of commercial airliners as part of their duties. Jack, Zora, and Karma have routine training schedules and are certified annually. |
ERIC JOHNSON, OWNER
| Holder of a BA from Concordia University in Portland , Oregon, Eric started his own construction company, Dakota Homes some 12 years ago. A Slow down in the industry around the start of the new millennium caused a reassessment and started him on a new but similar career path. Staying with his construction background he trained for and received his home inspectors certification through A.I.I. (American Institute of Inspectors). Through his involvement in home inspection he saw the need for a comprehensive way of assessing mold and moisture problems in new as well as existing construction. At about this same time he learned of the use of dogs as a tool in detecting hidden mold. Extensive research led him to the conclusion that these trained K-9's would be an invaluable tool in detecting hidden mold contamination and its associated causes. After obtaining his I.A.Q.A. (Indoor air quality association) certification as a mold remediator, Eric purchased one of the first few dogs in the country trained specifically to find hidden mold. These highly trained K-9's are the best method available today in locating hidden mold that may be left undiscovered by other |
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| conventional inspection methods. The use of scent detection dogs has proven so valuable that Eric's company C.S.I (Common Scents Inspections LLC) recently purchased a second mold detection dog. Eric also works very closely with trainers around the country to assure that the mold detection teams (dog and handler) meet the highest industry standards. Strict certification standards and requirements are essential in maintaining a quality product. |
Always looking for new and better ways to detect mold contamination Eric has been an industry leader in developing new and effective methods in the war on mold. He was instrumental in first suggesting and then working with MouldWorks laboratory in developing revolutionary training aids for the mold detection dogs to train with. These training aids utilize common building materials (OSB, oriented strand board, and drywall or sheet rock) inoculated with different species of common indoor molds. The species of mold were specifically selected to represent all of the different families of mold thus enabling the dogs to locate virtually any mold they may come across. Eric also has worked closely with MouldWorks to develop specific sampling protocols that enable the client to get the most useful information in a timely and cost effecient fashion. Eric, in conjunction with MouldWorks, is currently working on a revolutionary new method of dust collection sampling and analysis to provide quantitative as well as qualitative data that would be especially useful in court cases.
Eric has been asked by Mold-Help.com (a nationally recognized referral service for people with mold related issues) to become a certified and approved investigator. He has also trained numerous other investigators across the country with his revolutionary approach. Eric is also one of a handful of individuals qualified to testify as an expert witness should the need arise. If you have any questions or concerns regarding a possible mold related issue Eric would love to talk with you about them. Even if you are not located in the Northwest Eric can help you find a qualified mold investigator in your area.
PETE JOHNSON, ASSOCIATE INVESTIGATOR
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Pete has worked as a project manager for a local mold remediation company for 4 years. During this time, he has gained a wide array of knowledge in the building and mold related field.
Mr. Johnson also completed a 2-year apprenticeship with a local remodeling company that further enhanced his understanding of the construction industry.
Mr. Johnson is a creative, out-of-the-box thinker and communicator who strives to understand the customer's needs in order to guarantee the job is done right the first time. |
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| His ability to stay committed is a great asset to the company and will insure its long-term viability. Mr. Johnson is also a co-owner of a local sub-contracting company, Prevent Tech NW. |
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