Andy and his wife Susan became the Owners of BonaFide Dog Academy in February of 2019.  This fulfilled a life-long dream of Andy’s – to share his love of dogs and help others realize the powerful role that dogs can play in the lives of others.  Andy has always had a dog in his life, typically two or three.  He has always enjoyed the training aspect of dog ownership and finds it rewarding when his dogs grasp a new learned behavior.  Andy has titled his dogs in obedience, agility, tracking and hunting.  He has also shown dogs in the conformation ring.  Andy also relishes in finding ways to improve the bond Owners have with their dogs.  He enjoys watching the joy of children playing with their pets, and the comfort the elderly receive from a head in their lap.

Susan has been a willing participant in all of Andy’s dog endeavors.  Her passion for helping people and wanting clients to get the most out of their experience at BonaFide makes her the perfect customer relations manager.  Their daughter Grace is also involved in marketing the business and doing all the computer “stuff”.

Andy is convinced that people don’t buy what you do but why you do it.  Our belief is that the life of every person can be enhanced through the presence of a dog in their lives, so very simply we want to unleash the potential of man’s best friend so that they can change people’s lives.

Dawn Antoniak-Mitchell, Esq. is the co-founder and former owner of BonaFide Dog Academy. In addition to being a certified professional dog trainer (CPDT-KSA)  and behaviorist (CCBC-KA), Dawn is an award-winning author of four dog training books, an AKC obedience and rally obedience judge, and a competitor in a wide variety of dog sports.  Dawn remains on staff as a consultant during the ownership transition.

Cheryl is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) and a CGC evaluator, who has been teaching for over 15 years.  Cheryl recently received the Certified Behavior Consultant Canine (CBCC-KA) designation. She continues to study behavioral science and attends workshops geared towards the rehabilitation of fearful and reactive dogs.   Her passion is helping all owners build a trusting relationship, to help solve behavioral issues, and have a well behaved companion with their dog.

She advocates for force free training with the Pet Professional Guild where the motto is: “It’s time to say No!- No to Shock, Prong, Choke, Pain, Fear & Force.”

Cheryl worked at the Nebraska Humane Society as both a trainer and in animal control.   She saw many preventable bites, which prompted her to work with Doggone Safe to educate the public on dog safety for kids and adults.

Cheryl has served as a Vice President with Golden Retriever Rescue, as well as founding and serving as President with Nebraska Dachshund Rescue. She supports several local rescues that need customized training due to a rough start in life. Today, Cheryl has 4 dogs, 3 rescued chihuahuas’s that all have special needs and a puppy dachshund named Butters.

Kristi is a Certified Fear-Free Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA), and has achieved the Silver Level of Low-Stress Handling certification.  Kristi most recently completed all the requirements for the CBCC-KA, Certified Behavior Consultant Canine – Knowledge Assessed. She is member of APDT, The IAABC & The Professional Pet Guild and she continues to enhance her education by attending seminars on training and behavior modification.  

Kristi has been involved with rescuing, fostering & rehoming dogs with groups in NE, IA, KS & MO for over 15 years, specializing in taking in hospice dogs and the older, difficult to rehome dogs.  She enjoys rescuing cats with special needs as well.

When a puppy named Jack entered her life, her interest in dog training was piqued and it quickly developed into a passion.

Always one to enjoy a challenge, Kristi has an avid interest in dogs with behavior “quirks” and teaching them and their owners the life lessons & skills needed for success in today’s world. 

Knowing the importance of early socialization for puppies and effective communication between dogs and their families, Kristi enjoys sharing her experiences with others and starting them down the correct path to a great life together.

Kristi’s dogs have earned their Canine Good Citizen, AKC Community Canine, and AKC Trick Dog novice & intermediate titles.  They have participated in Agility, Rally-O, Rally-free, Canine Freestyle, Canicross, Parkour, weight pulling, tracking and nose work.

Dianne comes to Bonafide with over 30 years of dog training experience.  She has taught obedience and showmanship classes for 4-H and has judged at the county and state levels in both venues.  Dianne has also instructed obedience, rally and agility classes for various clubs and organizations in the Omaha area.  She has attended many seminars and conferences by nationally accredited individuals on the subjects of dog behavior, obedience, rally and agility and continues to attend seminars to learn new techniques.

Dianne’s accomplishments with her dogs include Utility Dog (UD) in obedience, Master Agility Champion (MACH), Rally Excellent (RE), Herding Started A sheep (HSAs), Flyball Master (FM), Therapy Dog Distinguished (THDD) recognized for over 400 therapy visits, Canine Good Citizen Advanced (CGCA), Canine Good Citizen Urban (CGCU), Versatility Excellent, (VCX) and finished breed Championships on dogs from the Herding group, Hound group, and Terrier group in AKC.  Dianne and her registered therapy dogs volunteer in the community regularly.

During the day Dianne is a buyer for a medical device manufacturer in the Omaha metro area.  Dianne is the President of the local Sheltie club, Midlands Shetland Sheepdog Club, an active member in the national Sheltie club, American Shetland Sheepdog Association, and is an evaluator for the Canine Good Citizen (CGC) program.  Her goal is for dogs to be well-mannered and owners to have a special bond with their dogs and enjoy doing things together as a team.