According to a 2025 survey by the American Pet Products Association, the number of U.S. households that own a dog is 68 million. In 2025, U.S. pet owners spent over $150 billion, with projections around $157 billion, driven by strong ownership (94 million households) and increased spending on food, vet care, and services like grooming, with dogs and cats remaining the most popular pets. According to more recent data from sources like the ASPCA and Shelter Animals Count, there are an estimated 4,000 brick-and-mortar animal shelters in the United States, and approximately 6.3 to 6.5 million companion animals enter them annually.
Associate of Science - Assistance Dog Education
Associate of Science-Assistance Dog Education graduates leave Bergin College of Canine Studies with a solid education in assistance dog training, disability studies, and canine therapeutic intervention. Career opportunities for this degree are: assistance dog trainer or assistance dog organization founder in a variety of fields, such as service dog, autism dog, diabetic alert dog, therapy dog, PTSD dog, hearing dog; canine therapeutic intervention, such as reading with children, visiting medical facilities; fundraiser, marketing and/or public relations for canine-related non-profits; assistance dog organization ownership; kennel management.
Service Dog Training Seminar certificate graduates are usually people in the assistance dog world who want to increase or update their skills or business professionals wishing to add assistance dog training skills to their occupation. The seminar provides an overview of service dog training skills. Career opportunities for this degree are: entry-level training positions in assistance dog organizations.
