About Us - Our Founder's Story
Alpha Dog's Story
We’ve cut through the noise, the misinformation, and the overwhelming complexity that surrounds toxic mold. By combining elite canine detection, cutting-edge mold and building science, and real-world expertise, we’ve built what many consider the “better way.” Our process is simple, even if the journey isn't always easy: Find the toxic mold. Fix the source. Remove the mold. Support the healing. We’re not just your first step—we’re your ongoing partner. With us, you get more than an inspection. You get guidance, support, and a team that’s just a phone call or text away.
​
We’re proud of who we are and what we do—but we’re not the only mold dog detection team out there. There are a few other excellent groups that we respect, some of whom we're friends with and fans of. Still, not all dog-and-handler teams are created equal. Our dogs undergo more than 1,000 hours of intensive training in custom real-world simulated environments before graduating to continued education in real homes and buildings. Our handlers are extensively trained in canine handling, mold science, and building systems, and our lead team has logged thousands of hours together—working, bonding, and learning to communicate like an old married couple :-) .
​
It’s this rare combination of elite preparation, daily training/sharpening of the skills, deep expertise, and heartfelt purpose that makes Alpha Dog Inspections different. We’re not trying to be polished—we’re trying to be real. And real is exactly what people need when mold threatens what matters most. We'll never claim to be perfect, but we’re going to be hard to beat. Partner with us—and your only regret will be not doing it sooner.
From Pain to Purpose...
Alpha Dog Inspections was born from lived experience—a family’s long, life-altering battle with toxic mold (read the full story below). We’ve ridden the mold toxicity roller coaster ourselves. The confusion, the isolation, the endless appointments and tests with no clear answers—we know it all too well. Everyone has advice, yet nothing works. Even trusted professionals miss the mark. Your support system doesn’t always understand. And slowly, doubt creeps in. We’re here to say: You are not alone, and you are not crazy (well… probably not :-) .
​
Our six-year journey through mystery illnesses, misdiagnoses, and ultimately mold discovery and remediation didn’t just change our lives—it revealed a serious gap in how mold is detected and addressed. Some lessons can't be taught in a classroom; they must be lived. That hard-earned insight fuels our mission today: to give others the answers we wish we had from the start.
​
​
The Alpha Dog Inspection Team
Coltin - Owner & Lead Handler / Inspector
Before founding Alpha Dog Inspections, Coltin spent more than 15 years leading operations for two of the largest and most respected HVAC, plumbing, and roofing contracting companies in the Midwest. This experience proved invaluable as he transitioned into working as a handler and inspector, given that many mold issues are closely tied to these trades. Coltin earned a Master's degree from the University of Illinois in another field but much of his undergraduate studies were in microbiology, genetics and ecosystems which he uses frequently studying and teaching others about mold. Working with dogs is also in his blood. Coltin’s Father and Grandfather were Hall of Fame hunting dog trainers. Growing up surrounded by world-class training, high performing dogs, and competitive events, Coltin developed a natural affinity for working with dogs. After some life-changing circumstances altered his perspective and professional priorities, Coltin chose to pursue canine inspections and mold consulting full time. In his free time Coltin also volunteers as a youth martial arts instructor and a board member for the Boys and Girls Clubs of America.
JoJo - Lead Mold K9
JoJo (or Jo) is named after the fearless, determined lead in the movie Twister — and she lives up to it in every way. Trained from puppyhood by top obedience and search-and-rescue experts, she went on to complete over 1,000 hours of mold detection training. With an extraordinary nose and a heart to match, Jo is a mission-driven mold dog and a cherished member of our family. She was brought in as an 8 week old pup to help our daughter overcome a fear of dogs — and their instant bond sparked a beautiful journey. Now, Jo gets to help protect other families, just like she did ours.
Oakley - K9 Inspector in training
Oakley is currently in specialized pre-inspection dog training and is progressing nicely. A small percentage of dogs are predisposed and capable of this type of work at a high level so training starts very early. Named after the sharpshooting cowgirl, Annie Oakley, our Oakley aims to please and brightens every room she enters. We look forward to her joining us for inspections soon.
To ensure our K9 team operates with the highest level of precision and reliability, JoJo was trained by the legendary Bill Whitstine—a pioneer in the field of scent detection and a dual-badged firefighter and police officer. His unique blend of field experience and elite training expertise brings unmatched depth to every canine team he trains and endorses.
​
With a career spanning over three decades, Bill has trained detection dogs across the globe in bomb, drug, money, weapons, termite, mold, and accelerant detection. In 1989, he became the first civilian to attend the Maine State Police Canine Academy for Accelerant Detection and has been setting the gold standard ever since.
​
His work has earned national and international recognition, with appearances in over nine television broadcasts, including multiple features on Animal Planet and The Discovery Channel.
​
But beyond the accolades and accomplishments, Bill is also one of the most genuine and caring people you’ll ever meet—deeply committed to both the dogs he trains and the people they serve.
​
We’re proud to bring his proven techniques to every inspection we perform—ensuring that our team is not only highly trained, but trained by the very best.
Detection Training
The Backstory - Origin of the Calling
At Alpha Dog Inspections we understand better than most, the pervasive and often devastating impact of toxic mold, their mycotoxins and VOCs on your life.
​
We were in what should have been the best chapter of our lives—growing our family, settling into a newer home that had passed every inspection, and feeling confident we had done everything right. But shortly after our daughter was born, everything changed.
​
She developed mysterious and frightening health issues. At night, she would stop breathing. She wasn’t developing and was always sick. We saw specialist after specialist, each offering a different—and often terrifying—possible diagnosis: cerebral palsy, a Chiari malformation, and more. Each path led to more dead ends.
​
Then one doctor suggested something we hadn't considered: mold.
We hired one of the best inspectors in our state. They found nothing. Still, our daughter’s health declined—and eventually, the rest of our family began showing chronic symptoms too. Then came another blow: our daughter was diagnosed with an aggressive, "non-reversible" autoimmune skin condition—vitiligo, which people could see and she hated.
​
We kept searching for answers and turned to another highly respected inspector—this time, a nationally recognized expert with cutting-edge tools and years of experience. Once again, the results came back: “Your home is perfectly safe.” Still, we couldn’t shake the feeling that something was being missed.
​
Desperate, and with nothing left to lose, we hired a mold dog team—traveling over 1,200 miles to get to us. Some people laughed when we told them. A dog? Really? But within an hour of arriving, the dog had identified multiple mold hotspots—including areas with no plumbing, no signs of water damage, no visible mold. Areas every previous inspection had missed.
​
We opened the walls and found a nightmare. Massive colonies of toxic mold were growing silently behind barriers—completely undetectable by even the best inspectors and tools. It had spread throughout the house, into the HVAC systems, and into our lives. We were forced to gut our home, discard many of our belongings, and live elsewhere for over eight months. We tried doing much of the work ourselves, hiring “experts” where needed—only to discover many of them were doing things wrong, either out of ignorance or laziness. We had to educate ourselves, fast, and build a network of people who actually understood mold science and proper remediation.
​
After cleaning and rebuilding, we began the long process of healing our bodies. Mold had wrecked our immune systems. We were hypersensitive to everything. But day by day, things got better. Even our daughter’s vitiligo—once declared irreversible—began to re-pigment. She was overjoyed, and we were overwhelmed with gratitude and relief.
​
The moment we saw what that mold dog could do, everything changed. We realized this tool could have saved us years of suffering, not to mention hundreds of thousands of dollars. What started as a personal obsession became a passion—and then, a calling. Coltin left a successful career running major HVAC, plumbing, and roofing companies across the Midwest to launch Alpha Dog Inspections. His deep dive into mold science and building systems opened his eyes to a hidden epidemic. Massive, peer reviewed studies show more than 70% of homes and commercial properties have experienced water damage and have varying degrees of mold infestation. Around 25% of people are genetically unable to detox mold from their bodies. Many of them are sick and don’t know why—or worse, they’ve come to believe their symptoms are just “normal.” This issue is literally affecting millions of people every day...
​
We’re here to help change that.
​
We could not be more proud and blessed to get to help change people's lives for the better. To quote the Blues Brothers, “We’re on a mission from God.” Every day, we get to help people reclaim their health, their homes, and their hope. And we can’t think of anything more meaningful than that.
Our daughter's room
Before & After wall torn down
Daughter's vitiligo: (Left)- in moldy home, (Right)- 3 months after back in successfully remediated house