BERGIN UNIVERSITY OF CANINE STUDIES

By combining the work of our students and our community-based service dog training programs, Bergin University strives to advance the human-canine partnership with the ultimate goal of helping people from a variety of backgrounds live more independent lives.

During their school year, University students and dogs participate in community-based programs where both gain experience working with the public, while our students learn the importance of changing and improving society for both humans and dogs. In keeping with Dr. Bergin's original mission, the University provides assistance dogs to civilians with physical disabilities at a low cost and to disabled Veterans free of charge.

Bergin University's educational program includes placing one service dog-in-training with each student attending the University, along with breeding, raising and training puppies while our students are on campus during the school year. The results of this type of education are: (1) each student receives an individualized education and hands-on dog training experience using only positive reinforcement; and (2) they are educated in responsible breeding practices, safe birthing procedures, and positive early puppy training. Students will place some of these dogs with people living with disabilities and Veterans living with emotional and physical challenges. The program's objective is to produce well-educated service dog trainers who are ready to begin training and placing service dogs, as well as obedience dog trainers who are ready to train shelter and privately owned dogs using proven positive training techniques backed by years of research.

Since the founding of the University, over 500 students have earned their degrees or participated in our summer seminar, and staff has placed over 226 assistance dogs with people with mobility limitations and Veterans with combat-related injuries. To sustain our Assistance Dog Training Program and the overall growth of the University, we plan to move to a larger property to accommodate student population growth and future program expansion. When completed, this new campus will position us to grow both our assistance dog program and the side of our curriculum that focuses on business and companion dogs, with the goal of creating two separate colleges under the umbrella of our University. With separate faculty and staff dedicated to these two areas, we hope to continue to increase the number of assistance dogs placed year over year.