Maggie is the One and Only Mold detection dog in New York!

I've had some major health issues for many years due to untreated LYME and Co-Infections (I believe I first contracted lyme about 20 years ago).

I was "getting by" just fine until we purchased our current home in 2014. Gradually my health started to decline. First it was Hashimoto's, GI issues, auto-immune, rashes, allergies (I was tolerating 8 foods), bladder issues,  etc... The list goes on. 

About 2017 I crashed HARD. Fevers, exhaustion, weakness, and hair loss, are a few of the major things that stick out in my mind the most. Doctors were testing me for EVERYTHING. No answers. I went on daily feeling like I was moving through mud. The smallest task was exhausting.

In 2019 I had a few friends recommend that I see a Lyme specialist. I was desperate to feel better so I went even though I had never had a tick bite (so I thought). She changed my life! Totally amazing. She confirmed that I have Lyme and ALSO uncovered something that other medical professionals were unable to find. I had SEVERE MOLD TOXICITY. 

After having 3 inspectors at our house that did not find the mold, we started investigating for ourselves (big mistake- never do this) by smashing walls. Sure enough, we found MASSIVE amounts of mold that had started in the attic and it worked it's way down into the eaves and into the walls. We could not believe the home inspectors had told us our house was "beautiful" and not to disturb the possible mold in the walls. We also had very high humidity in our house that was caused by a faulty hot water tank.  The combo was a recipe for disaster. 

With lots of hard work and consistency, I was having more good days than bad. Unfortunately, my health took a turn in January 2022, I was having episodes of syncope and low blood pressure. My cardiologist determined that I needed a pacemaker after I had a Tilt Table test to provoke an episode (I passed out, seized, and heart stopped for 12 seconds). He said "something" attacked my Central Nervous System which caused an electrical problem with my heart. 

I know deep down that the combo of Lyme, Mold, and Stress was the cause. After getting the pacemaker, I was feeling more alive and energetic than I did in years. 

During all my mold research I found a guy (Bill Whitstine) in Tampa that has a MOLD DOG. That mold dog is trained to sniff out mold in houses to help people like ME!!! We decided that I needed a mold dog of my own to make sure my surroundings are always safe and to help other people suffering with mold illness. After months of looking for the perfect dog and a crazy adventure south, I now have a MOLD DOG NAMED MAGGIE! 

Unfortunately, while Maggie was away at training I was diagnosed with aggressive Stage 2 Breast Cancer in May of 2022. Again, I blame the mold, lyme, and stress.  Maggie has been my best friend as I navigate treatments.  

We have completely remediated our ENTIRE HOUSE, most walls have been down to the studs. We have tossed most of our belongings because my immune system was too weak to tolerate the mycotoxins released by the mold that was disturbed. Mycotoxins are toxic and they fuse to fabric, plastic, wood, etc... by forming roots. Those roots make it nearly impossible to clean most items once exposed to mold.

We are now doing our best to raise awareness about mold and the dangers of having it in your home.

(Yes, both kids have their own mold stories I will share someday.)