MADELEINE BONGERS

TRAINER

NETHERLANDS

From an early age, I have felt a deep and natural connection with animals, but dogs have always held a particularly special place in my heart. After earning my Bachelor’s degree in Animal Husbandry and an earlier qualification as a Veterinary Technician, I chose to specialise in canine behaviour and training. In 2012, I began my professional journey as a canine instructor, attending various cynological courses to build a strong foundation in the field.

My mantrailing journey began in 2021. I took various classes and attended several seminars across Europe, driven by my passion to understand how dogs use their natural instincts and tracking abilities. This enthusiasm has led me to currently pursue the Mantrailing Education in Switzerland with Corina Rüegger from K9 Noseworker (www.noseworker.ch).

I am also the founder of MiAmici, where I work across multiple canine disciplines with my pack of Kelpies. Additionally to mantrailing I train and work with my dogs in rat hunting, applying their natural instincts and advanced scent detection skills to control pests in a safe, efficient, and humane way. I am equally passionate about canine fitness, designing tailored conditioning programmes that help prevent injuries and maximise performance. Together with my partner, I also train dogs for agility competitions, preparing them to compete at national, European and World Championship levels.

I combine in-depth knowledge of canine behaviour with a practical, results-oriented approach, and I continue to expand my expertise by attending international seminars led by fellow experts. My mission is clear: to help dogs and their handlers bring out the very best in each other.