{"id":15,"date":"2021-11-21T15:14:41","date_gmt":"2021-11-21T20:14:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/potomacworkingdogs.com\/index.php\/services\/"},"modified":"2025-11-30T10:33:18","modified_gmt":"2025-11-30T15:33:18","slug":"team","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/potomacworkingdogs.com\/index.php\/team\/","title":{"rendered":"Meet The Team"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Meet the Team<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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Bonita Parker
Founder and Handler<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Ellie
Sniff Master General<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Ernie
Chief Morale Officer<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Izze
Bed Bug Sniffer Intern<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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Bonita Parker \u2013 Founder and Handler<\/h2>\n

Bonita and Ellie form an exceptional canine\/handler team in the realm of bed bug detection, each bringing their unique strengths to provide high-quality service.  They are a certified bed bug detection team through NESDCA, the National Entomology Scent Detection Canine Association. Bonita, with over 25 years in program management, systems engineering and quality assurance, provides expert leadership for their high-quality bed bug detection operations. Her extensive experience with German Shepherds, including 17 years of ownership and therapy work at multiple rehab facilities with Ernie, has given her a profound understanding of canine behavior and training.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Ellie \u2013 Sniff Master General<\/span><\/h2>\n
Ellie, a two year old German Shepherd, has undergone rigorous training under the tutelage of a military specialist with over 20 years of expertise in precision odor detection, focusing on explosive and narcotic detection. Her training, characterized by military-grade precision and discipline, helps her operate with a high level of accuracy and efficiency. Ellie has been extensively socialized in diverse environments, interacting with a wide range of individuals, which has honed her adaptability and sociability. This extensive socialization makes her perfectly adaptable for both residential and commercial settings, where her unique blend of precision training and affable temperament makes her an invaluable asset for bed bug detection.<\/span>

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Ernie \u2013 Chief Morale Officer<\/h2>\n

Ernie, an 8-year-old therapy dog, holds esteemed titles including the AKC Therapy Dog Advanced (THDA) <\/a>and Canine Good Citizen. His weekly visits to a rehab facility bring comfort and joy to residents, showcasing his gentle and therapeutic nature. In his professional role, Ernie serves as the Chief Morale Officer, where he uplifts spirits and helps keep our working dogs focused and calm.  His dedication and temperament make him an invaluable asset to Potomac Working Dogs, embodying the essence of therapeutic companionship and professional canine conduct.<\/p>


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Izze \u2013 Bed Bug Sniffer Intern<\/h2>\n

Izze is our youngest team member and Bed Bug Sniffer Intern. She is currently in early scent\u2011detection training and socialization so she can one day join Ellie on inspections. Izze is learning to associate bed bug odor with her favorite rewards, while also building confidence in new environments and around new people.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Why Our Team is Unique<\/h2>\n

The synergy between Bonita\u2019s technical and professional expertise and Ellie\u2019s advanced scent detection training creates a formidable team. Bonita\u2019s experience in nurturing and understanding canine behavior, combined with her technical skills, enhances Ellie\u2019s natural abilities. This results in a highly effective, analytically informed, and sensitive approach to bed bug detection. Together, they offer not just a service but a thorough, reliable, and humane approach to bed bug detection.  <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Frequently Asked Question<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWho performs the bed bug inspections?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Our inspections are conducted by Bonita Parker, an experienced handler, with the assistance of Ellie, our NESDCA-certified detection dog. Ernie supports the team, ensuring a calm and controlled environment.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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With military-grade training and years of canine experience, our team can detect infestations that human inspections often miss. Ellie\u2019s keen sense of smell ensures thorough and reliable results.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCan your dogs work in commercial buildings as well as homes?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Yes. Ellie is trained to adapt to diverse environments, from residential homes to offices and hotels, providing discreet and effective inspections across the DC metro area.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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We focus solely on detection, providing unbiased and independent results. Our team\u2019s combination of technical expertise, canine precision, and therapeutic support ensures accurate inspections without upselling treatments.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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We perform inspections discreetly and professionally. Ernie helps maintain a calm environment, while Ellie conducts precise detection work. Every inspection is handled with care and respect for your property and privacy.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t