About Us

Vickie Halstead RN, CVNS, CCRN, CEN, LNC
Primary Contact
victoire2@mac.com

Vickie has been actively involved in breeding and showing Bichons since 1990. She has been a member of BFCA since 1997 and has been chair of BFCA’s Health Committee from 2003 to 2010. Also, she is a member of Bichon Frise Club of Canada and has published articles in The Bichon Frise Reporter. Vickie has been practicing as a Registered Nurse since 1973, currently employed as a coagulation (INR) nurse ER nurse, and in the past experience in intensive care, a flight nurse, and an ER nurse for 25 years. She also operates a legal nurse consulting business involved in assisting attorneys with medical malpractice cases.

Nancy McDonald RN, BSN
rosevine12@gmail.com

Nancy McDonald acquired her first show-quality Bichon in 1982 and has been showing in conformation and obedience since that time as well as maintaining a limited breeding program. She was instrumental in establishing the Bichon Frise Club of Greater Houston in 1984, joined the BFCA in 1986 and was a charter member of the Bichon Frise Club of Dallas in 1987. In 2006 she became a member of the BFCA’s Health Committee. Nancy is a graduate of Indiana University School of Nursing. She has worked in medical/surgical nursing, was a volunteer with her community medical emergency service, taught first aid classes for the Girl Scouts of America, and retired in 2002 as a surgical assistant in a general surgery partnership.

Paula Hendricks RN, ,BSN, CSN
bibelotbichons@gmail.com

Paula Hendricks been involved with the Bichon Frise breed for about 21 years and a member of BFCA since 2007. She participates in conformation, agility, pet therapy and breeding. Breeding puppies is her favorite aspect of being in the sport of dogs. Paula has been a Special Education school nurse for 30+ years, working with severely mentally and physically challenged students aged 3 to 26 years old. Currently she is ‘semi-retired’ but still works with the school district. Paula is married and has 3 grown children and one wonderful granddaughter!

Mayno Blanding
maynob@gmail.com

Mayno has had purebred dogs all her life. She participated in Obedience with her Shetland Sheepdog as a teenager and began breeding and showing Bichons Frises in 2001. Although she studied nursing at University of Michigan, she ended up having a large family rather than working outside the home. She put her medical knowledge to use by volunteering as a lactation consultant and professional liaison between nursing mothers and the medical profession. Mayno has always had a passion for studying about health-related issues in dogs, and has a particular interest in breeding, pregnancy and lactation, and behavioral research. She became a member of the BFCA in 2004 and has kept busy serving wherever asked, including a couple years as treasurer. She also is a judge mentor for BFCA. Currently, Mayno is a member of the Bichon Frise Club of Puget Sound, is secretary of the Dog Fanciers Association or Oregon and is chief ring steward for one of the largest shows in the United States, the Rose City Cluster in Portland.

Amanda Aaron

Amanda Aaron embarked on her journey in the Bichon Frise world in 2017 with her first Bichon, Sintiya. However, Amanda is no stranger to the dog world. She is the proud owner of two bustling grooming salons in Southwest Florida and is a former competitive groomer. Amanda balances her professional life with a loving family; she and her husband, Josh, have three beautiful children. Together, Amanda and Josh have dedicated their entire adult lives to the pet services industry, leading their teams to success with passion and expertise.

Upon entering the AKC world with Sintiya, Amanda quickly became captivated by the Bichon Frise breed, falling in love with their lively and cheerful personalities. She has since bred and shown numerous Bichons to their championships, fervently committed to preserving the breed standard. Amanda prioritizes breeding for health and temperament, ensuring that each Bichon she raises exemplifies the finest qualities of the breed.

Kyle Knudsen

Kyle fell in love with the Bichon Frise in 2017 when he watched his sister’s Bichon for the summer. He purchased his own Bichon shortly after, and later added another, his first show dog. Kyle has participated in conformation and Fastcat and has also developed an interest in grooming. His first experiences showing and breeding are not with dogs, but with the flock of Hampshire sheep he maintained during his youth. It’s only natural that he would fall in love with the white, fluffy Bichon! 

Kyle joined the BFCA and BFCA Health Committee in 2023. He lives in Minneapolis, MN, and is an orthodontist by profession. Outside of work and dogs, he enjoys  traveling, cooking, and staying active.