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Home of Bonjon Training School |
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Bonnie McDonald, Chief Training Officer
Student comment: There are
great “Handlers” who “teach” and there are great “Teachers” who are also “great
handlers”. Bonnie is a natural teacher with the ability to pass on the knowledge
she possesses in a way that benefits all individuals and their dogs.
While Agility is certainly a passion, Bonnie also believes in the “Total Dog” concept. She trains her own dogs in multiple venues and dog sports as reflected by the many titles her dogs have earned. Currently, in addition to Sierra (above) Bonnie is training and handling the following dogs:
A gifted Instructor, Bonnie has an intuitive ability to apply appropriate learning styles to individuals. This allows many to succeed simply by presenting the material in a better light geared specifically for that individual, their learning style and that of their dog. The success of Bonnie’s methods is best shown by the many accomplishments of her students including titles too numerous to mention, earned by dogs of all groups & by handlers of all ages & abilities! Visit the “Our Students” page to see just a few of the many who have accomplished so much! (check back! it will be up and running by the end of the summer, 05!)
Bonnie is an AKC, UKC, USDAA Agility Judge and a WWKC Obedience & Rally Judge. She has served as past President of the Tampa Bay German Shepherd Dog Club, was Training Director for several years for The Dog Training Club Of Tampa as well as having served on both club’s boards. She is an active writer and has published articles in National publications and currently writes a column for the American Belgian Malinois Clubs Bi-Monthly publication, The Performer. She has been a member of NADOI and ADPT for many years and holds many other memberships in National Organizations. Currently training dogs full time since 1992, Bonnie is also a Registered RN/Paramedic and is retired from the US ARMY as a former Warrant Officer and Helicopter Pilot. Prior to serving in the Army Bonnie was the first woman to graduate from Ocala Fire College and worked for a year as a Firefighter/EMT in the mid 1970’s.
Quite artistic, Bonnie loves to draw, paint, and create elegant jewelry, ceramics and more in her very limited spare time. She once operated her own photo business and is still an avid photographer. Bonnie plays Piano along with many other musical instruments including brass, woodwind and percussion. Many years ago she played keyboard and sang vocals with a music group. This artistic passion is probably what gives Bonnie her ability to read people and dogs so well along with her education in teaching and behavior studies. She successfully home-schooled two sons through High School. Her son Daniel is in completing College (read Daniel’s Bio in this section) and teaches for Bonjon. He is the youngest male to become a judge for USDAA. Bonnie is also a certified advanced/nitrox scuba diver and enjoys sailing, roller blading, hiking & kayaking. |
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