DONATE
Your gift makes the dogs’ gifts to the world possible. Service dogs, guide dogs, hearing dogs, diabetic alert dogs, drug detection dogs, bomb sniffing dogs, agriculture scent detection dogs, social/therapy dogs, dogs helping servicemen and women with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and children with Autism represent just a few of the ways dogs are helping humankind.
Through our University programs and Research we enable individuals and organizations worldwide to be more productive in pursuing dog-related careers and to be more effective in “helping dogs help people.”
Your donations can take many forms – from direct gifts and pledges to online gifts.
Workplace and corporate matching gifts that involve your employer have an added bonus of more people learning about us.
A bequest ensures that we remain in your heart and you in ours forever.
Another gift of inspiration is one to honor the memory of a loved one, or a friend’s loved one, be it dog or human.
A sponsorship paves the way for someone with a disability to receive an assistance dog that they might not otherwise be able to afford.
And consideration of our “Wish List” lessens some of the pressures of everyday operational costs.
We are certified by the Independent Charities of America.
Remember, even $1 can make a difference. All donations are tax deductible.
Direct Gifts and Pledges
We are pleased to accept cash, checks and credit cards. Please make checks payable to Bergin University of Canine Studies. Our address is: 1215 Sebastopol Road, Santa Rosa, CA 95407 or you can call us at (707) 545-DOGS(3647) to donate via credit card.
| Online Giving | top of page |
To make an online donation to Bergin University, simply click Give Direct. You will be immediately forwarded to a form that is easy to fill out with the amount you wish to donate. There are no additional fees, and with the ease of electronic transfers, we receive your donation immediately.
Click to view our Privacy Policy for information we collect on line.
| Workplace Contributions | top of page |
Bergin University is eligible to receive your directed donations via the United Way; and for federal employees, via the Combined Federal Campaign. For the Combined Federal Campaign, please use #11646 for contributions to our University.
| Corporate Matching Gifts | top of page |
Many employers will match the charitable donations of their employees. This is a great opportunity to double your contribution to Bergin University! Please contact your Human Resources department for any necessary forms and we will happily send in the required documentation.
| Planned Giving | top of page |
Responding to the requests of our dedicated Board of Trustees and donors, Bergin University of Canine Studies has established a means by which we may receive bequests left by donors who name our endowed fund in their wills to help advance the human-canine partnership through research and education.
The Legacy Foundation of Bergin University invites you to join us as we continue to break new ground in “Helping Dogs Help People,” as the only university offering masters, bachelors and associate degrees in dog studies. Your gift will help us to continue and further our exciting research into canine cognition, and human/canine partnerships. Through this research we find new and innovative methods to provide a loving helpmate to those with disabilities.
Please click here for more information regarding Planned Giving.
| Honor a Special Dog or Person | top of page |
Your donation in memory of a dog or person is an opportunity to recognize your or a friend’s dog or a dear human friend or family member. Please provide the details of your memorial gift on this Honor a Special Dog or Person form.
| Sponsorships | top of page |
It costs approximately $15,000 to raise, train and partner a service dog with a client. This cost includes the two-week client-training course, which teaches the client the necessary techniques required to best utilize their new canine partner. Your donation of a $15,000 team sponsorship would cover the entire cost of training and pairing one service dog with its new, lifelong companion.
| Training | ||
| Training time (120 or more hours) | $3,200 | |
| Treats | $250 | |
| Field trips | $300 | |
| Training equipment | $210 | |
| Boarding (18-24 months) | ||
| Dog food | $600 | |
| Kennel and facility maintenance | $1,450 | |
| Utilities/supplies | $1,200 | |
| Staff care | $1,825 | |
| Dog Costs (18-24 months) | ||
| Vet Care | $1,600 | |
| Immunizations, flea preventive | $300 | |
| Training equipment | $200 | |
| Breeder dog acquisition (per pup average cost) | $300 | |
| Health care for mother pre- and post-birth (per pup) | $200 | |
| Client costs | ||
| Boot camp two-week intensive training | $1,300 | |
| Follow-up process, client certification | $1,065 | |
| Equipment given to clients | $200 | |
| Documentation of procedures | $800 | |
| Total | $15,000 | |
| Wish List | top of page |
Our supporters often ask if we have a “Wish List” of things that the University needs. Thanks for asking--the answer is yes! Listed below are some items that we are always in need of. If you have an item to donate that is not on the list, please contact us to see if it’s something we can use.
Gift certificates for Petco, Petsmart, Costco or Home Depot
Blankets (used; for dog bedding)
Dog-related books for our library
Dog toys: nylabones, kongs, hard rubber balls--no thin plastic squeak toys (dangerous when chewed up)
Dog Crates
Magazine subscriptions to Dog Fancy, Dog World, or Bark
Steam cleaner (heavy duty)
Treat rolls (Red Barn, Natural Balance or Pet Botanics)
| Donate Your Vehicle | top of page |
We can now accept your unwanted cars, boats and even airplanes! By simply clicking on the car logo you are well on your way to both getting the extra garage space you’ve been wishing for, and to providing a generous donation to our organization. Once you fill out the simple form, a representative from the V-DAC program will call you to set up an appointment to tow your car, at no cost to you! For your convenience, this program is available nationwide and your car is usually picked up within one week after the paperwork is filed.
All donations are tax-deductible Thank you!

