Scent Work is a true passion for Bonnie. She worked with both a Sheriff Narcotic and Cadaver training unit and certified her own GSDs in addition to working with an SAR training group studying scent and recovery with two different dogs. Bonnie has been tracking, both IPO & AKC style and working on trailing using lost articles since the mid 1980’s. She utilizes a system like no other developed by her using police and military training techniques she has studied over the years.
45 years of experience teaching others to train their dogs combined with her prior knowledge gained training & competing with her horses (3 day event, hunter jumper & dressage since the age of 6.) have given Bonnie a strong & competitive foundation to pass on to those that entrust her with their dog’s training program.
In addition to competing Bonnie gives back to the sport. She has Judged Internationally helping to mentor and assist the Agility & Scent Work program for the Bahamas Kennel Club training their judges. Currently Bonnie judges Agility & Scent Work for AKC, Scent work for CPE, Agility, Obedience & Rally for the Bahamas Kennel Club, Agility for the United Kennel Club and is an inactive judge for the United States Dog Agility Association (USDAA) & is an inactive Barn Hunt Judge.
Bonnie & her husband Bill own & operate Sonlight Ranch & K9 Event Center in Brooksville, FL, USA. They host numerous events yearly. They are both AKC Farm Dog Judges, CGC & Trick Dog Evaluators & Temperament Test Judges offering these opportunities at Sonlight Ranch as well.
Bonnie McDonald
Bonnie McDonald has been actively involved in the sport of Agility since 1992, competes internationally (member of 5 AKC EO Teams, 14” Sheltie 1x, 26” BC 2x, GSD 1x) and at he finalist level in USDAA and AKC Nationals and The Invitationals placing in the top 4 multiple times with different dogs. She has had the #1 sheltie, #1 BC, #1 GSD & #1 Belgian Malinois in AKC Agility (some multiple times)
Bonnie holds Agility Championships (60+ MACH & PACH, 10 ADCH & PDCH, 2 Silver & 2 International Agility Grand Championships, plus other odd assorted organizations Championships). She has 2 AKC AGCH including the first AGCH in Florida and the first Belgian of any type in AKC. Her sheltie “Hope” is also close to earning her AGCH.
In addition, Bonnie continues to compete in multiple venues Titling multiple dogs in Obedience (through UD), Herding (through HX) and was active in IPO sports.
