Meet the Team
We’re Looking Forward to Easing the Stress in Your Life
Dr. Rodney Russell
OWNER / DOCTOR
With almost 30 years in holistic functional medicine, Dr. Russell is a true "healer" focused on addressing root causes, particularly mold illness. As co-owner of Mold Dog Knows, alongside his wife Susan, he's passionate about helping others overcome the challenges of mycotoxins, a mission born from their own experiences.
Susan A. Russell
OWNER / CEO
The driving force behind Mold Dog Knows, Susan brings a unique blend of entrepreneurial vision and personal experience with mold illness. She's committed to guiding individuals from mold challenges to renewed health and resilience, both as CEO and as a partner in the Natural Healing Center.
Steven Antommarchi
PARTNER / VP K9 OPERATIONS
With 16+ years of K9 excellence, Steven is a recognized expert who innovated K9 mold detection. As VP of K9 Operations, he applies his extensive experience in training and certification to develop canine teams that perform with unmatched precision for Mold Dog Knows.
Susan Renne
VP STRATEGIC GROWTH & OPERATION
Renne brings over two decades of business development expertise to Mold Dog Knows. She excels at identifying client needs and crafting innovative solutions, infusing her work with creativity and integrity.
Beth Cruickshank
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT &
ACCOUNT MANAGER
Beth brings a compassionate, knowledgeable approach to helping Mold Dog Knows clients. Driven by personal experience, she's dedicated to guiding individuals through mold exposure challenges towards recovery.
Ryan Walker
K9 HANDLER / TRAINER
Ryan brings extensive K9 handling and training expertise to Mold Dog Knows. A Marine Corps veteran, he specializes in scent detection, including narcotics and mold, and is dedicated to helping clients uncover hidden mold threats with precision and integrity.
Stella Hammond
K9 HANDLER / TRAINER
Stella brings sharp instincts and extensive experience to Mold Dog Knows as a K9 handler. A U.S. Army veteran and Senior Handler in explosives detection, she applies her deep understanding of canine behavior to mold detection. With a BAS in Early Childhood Education (cum laude) and an M.Ed. in Special Education, Stella offers a unique skill set that makes her a valued part of our team.
EMILY ILLINGWORTH
K9 Handler
Emily brings 13 years as a U.S. Army Military Police Sergeant and over eight years training high-performance working dogs. Based in Nevada, she now applies her precision and expertise to mold detection. As a certified Mold Inspector, Emily is committed to helping families breathe clean air and live healthier, safer lives.
LAUREN FASOLA
K9 Handler
Lauren brings over 12 years of K9 handling and training experience to the team in Texas, with K9 certifications in obedience, service, and explosive detection as well as mold assessment. A seasoned business owner and team leader, she pairs advanced training in scent detection and patrol with strong leadership and operational skills, making her a key asset to MDK.
NICK HAMER
K9 Handler
With a solid K9 scent detection background and over a decade in K9 handling and training, Nick brings hands-on experience working with government, military, and residential clients. Nick brings this expertise to mold detection across Ohio and beyond with a passion for creating safe living environments.
DAVE THIEMS
K9 Handler
Based in Oregon, Dave brings years of experience in explosives detection, protection, and tracking to Mold Dog Knows. A former Reserve Police Officer, he trains K9s in obedience, detection, and protection for both private clients and law enforcement. Passionate about preparedness, Dave also teaches CPR, First Aid, and situational awareness to help others stay ready for the unexpected.
Xia
MOLD DOG
Xia, our incredible German Drahthaar, has a nose for precision and a heart of gold! This sweet girl leverages her natural hunting instincts to pinpoint hidden toxic mold with amazing accuracy, keeping homes and businesses safe. She's all business in the field, and mold doesn't stand a chance!
Buck
MOLD DOG
Buck is our mold detection powerhouse! This smart and energetic Hound-Malinois mix has adapted his elite tracking skills to a new mission: sniffing out hidden toxic mold. With laser focus and an unstoppable drive, Buck is one of our most reliable K9s, ensuring no mold goes undetected!
Tala
MOLD DOG
Meet Tala, our incredible German Shepherd mix with a remarkable rescue story! Despite a rough start, this two-year-old dynamo has become a natural at detecting mold. Trained by Steven Antommarchi, Tala is laser-focused on the job and thrives on every find, making her the kind of once-in-a-career partner every handler dreams of!
LOKIE
MOLD DOG
Lokie is a high-drive Brittany Spaniel with a sweet, cuddly nature and sharp intelligence. Originally a rescue struggling in a small apartment, she’s now thriving with purpose and
room to run. Her keen nose and loving spirit make her a natural fit for the Mold Dog Knows detection team.
BABY
MOLD DOG
Meet K9 Baby—a Malinois powerhouse for Mold Dog Knows with a nose for adventure and a heart of gold. A rescue, Baby is trained to detect even the sneakiest traces of mold. She blends playful charm with professional focus – but don’t be fooled by the belly rubs—once her vest goes on, she’s all business and mission ready.
JEDI
MOLD DOG
Jedi is a Dutch Shepherd and a rock-solid mold detection dog with a soft spot for belly rubs, squeaky toys, and deer antlers. Though reserved at first, he quickly wins hearts—and sometimes chatters his teeth in excitement. He idolizes his big brother, Vader, proudly following in his paw prints with focus and heart.
DUKE
MOLD DOG
Duke Silver is a Belgian Malinois with a strong background in mold detection and a serious nose for the job. Trained from puppyhood, he’s focused, fast, and a total pro. Off duty, Duke loves running with his pack—and stealing dryer sheets during laundry time. He’s all business… until he’s not.
Thirty years ago, I embarked on what I thought would be the highlight of my career, moving from San Francisco to Fort Myers, Florida, to take a new elevating position as the main TV news anchor in great market. This dream opportunity quickly turned into a nightmare as I began suffering from debilitating migraines and unexplained health issues, marking the start of a long battle with mold illness – unbeknownst to me.
Despite seeking help from numerous healthcare professionals, the root cause of my suffering went undiagnosed. Bound by professional obligations, I struggled through the pain until I had no choice but to return to California, facing broken contracts, a loss of income and a sense of failure.
A New Beginning With Old Shadows
Back in California, while the physical pain subsided, the emotional toll lingered. I eventually managed to return to the broadcasting world, but the underlying health issues persisted as they can with mold illness that’s not treated, eventually forcing me out of the career I dearly loved. Extreme newsroom stress was a big instigator.
It wasn’t until years later, after more health setbacks and personal changes and challenges, including a move to Colorado and a marriage to Dr. Rodney Russell, that the true culprit was identified—toxic MOLD. This discovery came too late to prevent the profound impact it had on my life, but began a journey of healing and understanding.
Mold Dog Knows: Turning Adversity Into Advocacy
My experiences with mold illness, coupled with my husband’s professional insights, led us to establish Mold Dog Knows, a North Texas-based canine mold detection company. Our mission is to help others identify and address mold issues more swiftly and effectively, saving them the prolonged suffering I endured.
Our journey, though fraught with challenges, has equipped us to support and guide others through the maze of mold illness. It’s a calling we embrace wholeheartedly, driven by a desire to turn our trials into triumphs for those we serve. And it’s a perfect fit for our functional medicine practice, the Natural Healing Center where my husband helps many mold sick patients (who frequently have no idea).
In sharing my story, I hope to illuminate the path for others affected by mold, offering hope and practical solutions through the work of Mold Dog Knows and our continued advocacy for health and wellness in the face of environmental challenges.
~Susan Russell / Owner & CEO