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FAQ
IFEDCA dogs have
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Research behind the bedbug-detecting dog: Several years ago, the insurance industry posed a question to Bill Whitstine, owner of Florida Canine Academy: "If dogs can sniff out bombs, drugs, people and arson, then why not bedbugs?" In response to this question, Whitstine immediately put together a panel of experts to include: Chief forensic chemist Niles Bashaw of Innovative Applied Science Laboratory, in Tampa, Florida; Microbiologist and Industrial Hygienist Michael Williamson of Apollo Environmental Inc. in Gibsonton, Florida; and for veterinarian and research support, Dr. Larry Myers of Auburn University, in Auburn, Georgia. After more than two years of study, this panel of experts concluded that dogs could, in fact, be trained to sniff out specific microbial volatile organic compounds associated with over 18 specific species of the most common “toxic” molds. Later, armed with the support of the experts, Whitstine began training the first dogs with a few mold odors. Once it was clear that dogs could find the hidden mold in various building structures, Whitstine began to fine-tune the dogs’ detection abilities by adding additional odors. |
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