History of Mill Pond Kennels
- Mark & Nikki Sonnier
- Nov 23, 2018
- 2 min read
Updated: Feb 23
What and where Mill Pond Kennels comes from
The Beginning Mark Sonnier
"When I began waterfowl hunting in 1985, I was introduced to the role that the retriever played. I decided I wanted one of my own to train. I trained my first retriever at the age of thirteen with the help of my mentor hunters. He was a classic beginner trained dog. He was a companion, learning experience, and helped lead me where I am today. "
~Mark Sonnier
About Mill Pond Kennels
What began as a passion for dogs has grown into one of South Louisiana’s most trusted canine training and activity facilities. Mark Sonnier, the founder, started training hunting dogs as a hobby when he was just 13 years old — and that early love of working with dogs laid the foundation for everything that was to come. Over the years, Mark’s dedication and experience blossomed into a full-time career in dog training, evolving with the needs of pet owners and the ever-changing world of canine sports and care.
Today, Mill Pond Kennels combines time-tested training principles with innovative offerings in a facility designed for both learning and fun. Our grounds in Broussard, Louisiana, provide a safe, secure, and clean “home away from home” for dogs of all ages and personalities — from basic obedience and board-and-train programs to fitness-focused daycare, advanced dog sports, and more.
Mark’s vision continued to expand with the arrival of Nikki Sonnier in 2018, who began training alongside him and quickly became an integral part of the team. Today, Nikki serves as our Lead Trainer for obedience and dog sports, including dock diving and Up Dog events. Her passion for dogs and high-level training experience bring out the best in every pup that walks through our doors.
At Mill Pond Kennels, we pride ourselves on personalized training programs that build lasting habits, clear communication with owners, and weekly progress updates. We’re also proud to offer Louisiana’s first indoor dock diving pool and structured dock diving classes that bring excitement, confidence, and joy to dogs and their people alike.
Whether you’re here for obedience, behavior modification, fitness, or just to have some splash-filled fun, our facility and our team are committed to helping your dog thrive in every way. Join us and become part of a community that celebrates the bond between dogs and their humans.
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