The University’s faculty are selected for knowledge of their subject and their ability to share that knowledge in a vibrant, dynamic way. Students enjoy close working relationships with faculty due to the small class sizes, joint research projects, a caring atmosphere and the constant presence of dogs. Click here for faculty biographies and photos, and see the list of faculty on this page.

faculty - Graduate Programs

Marc Bekoff, Ph.D.
Ph.D., Washington University - Biology
MA, Hofstra University - Biology
BS, Washington Univ., St. Louis, MO - Anthropology

Bonita M. Bergin, Ed.D.
Ed.D., Nova Southeastern University - Education
MA, Sonoma State University - Special Education, Early Childhood Education
BA, SSU - English, Psychology, Social Science

Sarah Brown, Ph.D.
Ph.D., University of California, Davis - Genetics
MS, California Polytechnic State University - Biology
BS, University of California, Davis - Wildlife, Fish and Conservation Biology

Stanley Coren, Ph.D.
Ph.D., Stanford University - Psychology
BS, University of Pennsylvania - Psychology

Mark Derr
MA, John Hopkins University - Writing Seminars
AB, John Hopkins University - Humanistic Studies

Deni Elliott, Ed.D.
Ed.D., Harvard University - Philosophy of Education
MA, Wayne State University - Philosophy
BA, University of Maryland - Communication

Pamela Reid, Ph.D.
Ph.D., University of Toronto - Psychology
MS, University of Alberta - Psychology
BA, University of Alberta - Psychology

Ellen Shay
MS, Florida State University, Tallahassee - Media Education & Instructional Design
BA, University of Florida - Computer Science

Alexander Smith
MS, Kent State University - Library & Information Services
BA, Chadron State College - Information Resource Management

Gillian Squirrel
MSc Criminal Justice Studies, University of Leicester
MBA, Public Sector Management (Distinction), University of Birmingham
Ph.D., University of Bristol, Educational Sociology and Psychology
MA, Social Sciences, University of Kent
BA (Combined Honours), University of Bristol

faculty - Undergraduate Programs

Heather Alcaide
BS, Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo – Animal Science
Registered Veterinary Technician, State of CA

Bonita M. Bergin, Ed.D.
Ed.D., Nova Southeastern University - Education
MA, Sonoma State University (SSU) - Special Education, Early Childhood Education
BA, SSU - English, Psychology, Social Science

Suzanne Bria
MA, Sonoma State University - English
BA, Sonoma State University - English

Diane Brown
MPA, Sonoma State University - Nonprofit Mgmt.
BA, The American University - International Studies

Susan J. Caputo, DVM
DVM, University of Florida
BS, Cornell University - Animal Science

Paul Dunn, Ph.D.
Ph.D., University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) - Education
MA, UCSB - Counseling Psychology

Delores Ford - Director of Student Services and Admissions
BA, Sonoma State University - Business Management

Tera Jurrens
BS, Ohio State University - Animal Science

Monika Lipinski, Ph.D.
Ph.D., U.C. Davis - Genetics
BA, U. C Berkeley - Integrated Biology

Marcia Rogers
MA, NYU - Rehabilitation, Psychology & Education
RN and BS, University of Arizona - Nursing

Alexander Smith
MS, Kent State University - Library & Information Services
BA, Chadron State College - Information Resource Management

David Sortino, Ph.D.
Ph.D., Saybrook Institute - Psychology
Ed.M., Harvard University - Human Development
M.F.C.C. , John F. Kennedy University - Marriage and Family Counseling
BA, University of Hartford - Psychology

Gillian Squirrel
MSc Criminal Justice Studies, University of Leicester
MBA, Public Sector Management (Distinction), University of Birmingham
Ph.D., University of Bristol, Educational Sociology and Psychology
MA, Social Sciences, University of Kent
BA (Combined Honours), University of Bristol

Hazel Weiss
MS, Bergin University of Canine Studies -Assistance Dog Education
MA, Antioch University West-Health Services Administration
BS, State University of New York-American Social Organization

Administration

Bergin University of Canine Studies’ staff are dedicated working professionals, most of whom have attended the Service Dog Seminar, each of whom is committed to the mission of the University and to helping its students develop or expand their knowledge for scholarly or career purposes or to enhance their knowledge of their own specialties through the unique viewpoint provided by human-canine studies.

Bonita M. Bergin, Ed.D. - President and CAO
Ed.D., Nova Southeastern University - Education
MA, Sonoma State University (SSU) - Special Education, Early Childhood Education
BA, SSU - English, Psychology, Social Science

Heidi Bonorato - Instructor PPH
AS, Bergin University of Canine Studies –
Assistance Dog Education

Paul Dunn, Ph.D. - Provost and Chief Academic Officer
Ph.D., University of California: Santa Barbara - Education

Carolyn Ford - Instructor PPH
BA, St. Anselm College – Business & Economics
AS, Bergin University of Canine Studies –
Assistance Dog Education

Delores Ford - Director of Student Services and Admissions
BA, Sonoma State University - Business Management

Denise Getz - Chief Operating Officer
AA, Santa Ana College – Business Management

Monika Lipinski - Dog Program Manager
Ph.D., U.C. Davis - Genetics
BA, U.C. Berkeley - Integrated Biology

Rebecca Richardson - Administrator
BA, Simpson University - Liberal Studies

Marcia Rogers - Disability Officer
MA, NYU - Rehabilitation, Psychology & Education
RN and BS, University of Arizona - Nursing