Biography – Holly Bushard

Woman with short brown hair wearing a red shirt and black pants posing with two whippet dogs and numerous ribbons

Holly Bushard is a dedicated competition detection coach, competitor, and judge. Her foundation began as a narcotics detection handler and rapidly expanded when she discovered the joy and excitement of competition scenting sports. Now, Holly coaches full time, actively judges for three venues (NACSW, AKC, and CPE) and competes at the highest levels of the sport whenever time allows. She has successfully competed at the elite level with three different dogs and was privileged to be partnered with the first whippet to achieve an Elite Championship in NACSW. She enjoys playing at Summit Level with her beloved Mahto.

Holly enjoys breaking scent work skills down into small pieces and constructing drills and exercises that focus on specific talent sets. She loves concentrating on increasing joy and confidence in the game for teammates on both ends of the leash. Holly’s students excel in the sport.

With a background in shelter work, a history of fostering dozens of dogs, over 20 years of experience as an instructor, 10 years as a therapy dog evaluator, and a competitor in obedience, agility, rally, and scent sport, Holly has the experience needed to be a creative and invested problem solver.