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2026 Summer Service Dog Training Seminar

Unleashing Independence in Real Life
​The Summer Service Dog Training Seminar is an intensive seven‑week, in‑person program on Bergin College’s Canyonville, Oregon campus for people who are ready to move into real service dog work—not just basic obedience or “fun with dogs.” You will work directly with dogs and instructors every day, learning how to teach tasks that support human independence and seeing up close what “unleashing independence” looks like in real lives.
Making the Seminar More Doable
On‑campus housing options (dorm‑style and apartment‑style) are available for seminar participants, and three scholarships will be awarded for 2026. Housing and scholarships are offered in addition to tuition and are handled separately through Admissions. Criteria and application steps for scholarships will be explained by Admissions.
Is This the Right Next Step for You?
This seminar is for people who are ready to treat service dog work as a serious next chapter, not just a hobby.
It may be a good fit if you are:
  • A career‑changing adult from education, human services, nonprofit, healthcare, or military backgrounds who wants meaningful work combining dogs and people, and who is willing to commit seven weeks if it moves you toward service dog work.
  • An existing dog professional—pet trainer, daycare or boarding staff, shelter worker, behavior assistant—who already invests in training and continuing education and wants to move into service dog standards.
  • A motivated newcomer who is ready for structured, hands‑on learning in a founder‑led, mission‑centric environment.
All participants must be able to attend a seven‑week, in‑person seminar in Canyonville, Oregon, and be drawn to the seriousness and ethics of service dog work at Bergin’s standard.
See if the seminar is a good fit for you – start an inquiry.
Why Service Dog Training Matters
Service dogs do more than follow commands. They help people navigate the world with more safety, dignity, and confidence. A well‑trained dog can:
  • Pick up dropped items
  • Open doors
  • Brace for balance
  • Interrupt nightmares or distress
  • Help someone feel safe enough to go out
At Bergin, “Unleashing Independence” is not just a phrase. It is the work you are preparing for. During the seminar, you will see many of these moments up close and begin to understand what it takes—technically and emotionally—to create them.
Learn Service Dog Training Where the Field Was Born
Bergin College of Canine Studies was founded by Dr. Bonita “Bonnie” Bergin, who pioneered the modern concept of the service dog and created the Service Dog Model that shaped how the field works today.
The Service Dog Training Seminar is the College’s long‑standing vocational seminar in this area. When you study here, you are learning in the place built around that original idea, with people who have carried it forward for decades. The seminar reflects that legacy: founder‑led, mission‑driven, and grounded in standards, ethics, and respect for both dogs and the people they serve.
Learn more about Bergin’s history and the Service Dog Model
What You Will Learn and Do in Seven Weeks
The seminar is an intensive, hands‑on learning experience on Bergin’s nature‑rich Canyonville campus. Days are spent with dogs, instructors, and peers—on the grass, in training spaces, and in realistic environments—not just in a classroom.
During the seminar, you will:
  • Work directly with dogs under the guidance of experienced instructors.
  • Learn how service dog training goes far beyond basic obedience.
  • Study selection and temperament considerations for service dogs.
  • Teach real service tasks such as picking up dropped items, bracing for balance, opening doors, and interrupting distress.
  • Understand public‑access behavior and client needs in everyday environments.
  • Learn the procedures involved in matching, placing, and following up with clients with mobility and psychological limitations.
Students who successfully complete the seminar receive a Bergin College of Canine Studies Certificate of Completion in Service Dog Training. This certificate indicates that the student has demonstrated the knowledge and abilities required by the seminar coursework.
 2026 Program Details at a Glance
  • Dates: June 8 – July 24, 2026 (seven weeks, in person, on the Canyonville campus).
  • Location: Bergin College of Canine Studies, Canyonville, Oregon.
  • Format: Full‑time, hands‑on vocational seminar; training with dogs and instructors in real‑world environments.
  • Seminar type: Vocational, non‑degree, and non‑accredited course that does not lead to an academic degree. It is designed as a focused, practice‑based experience that can stand alone or prepare you for further study or work in service dog training.
Tuition, Housing, and Scholarships
  • Tuition: For planning purposes, tuition for the 2026 seminar is currently estimated at approximately 4,000 per participant. Final tuition will be confirmed by Admissions. Tuition covers the seminar only and does not include housing, meals, or travel.
  • On‑campus housing (not included in tuition):
    On‑campus housing options, including dorm‑style and apartment‑style living, may be available for seminar participants. Housing costs are separate from tuition and are billed directly to the student if they choose to live on campus. Many students find that staying on campus makes it easier to focus, build relationships, and fully experience the program.
  • Tuition Scholarships:
    There are three scholarships available for the 2026 Seminar that will be awarded to qualified seminar applicants. Scholarship awards cover tuition only. Criteria and application steps for these scholarships will be explained by Admissions.
Is the 2026 Summer Seminar Right for You?
This seminar may be a good fit if you:
  • Want to move into service dog work as a trainer or aspiring trainer.
  • Are a Veteran, nonprofit professional, or mission‑driven person drawn to work that directly supports people with disabilities.
  • Are ready for hands‑on training, structure, and honest feedback.
  • Are looking for a serious introduction to the field, not just a casual “fun with dogs” course.
The seminar is vocational and does not lead to an academic degree. It is designed for people who want a concentrated, practice‑based experience that prepares them for further study or work in service dog training.
What You Leave With
By the end of the Summer Service Dog Training Seminar, you will leave with:
  • Hands‑on experience working with dogs in a service dog context.
  • Skills related to the training of service dog commands and public‑access behavior.
  • A clearer understanding of the responsibilities and rewards of the field.
  • Knowledge of employment‑related opportunities in the service dog field, including entry‑level canine care and training positions, client placement support, and related roles.
  • A Certificate of Completion in Service Dog Training from Bergin College of Canine Studies.
For some people, this seminar is the starting point for further study at Bergin, including degree or other certificate programs. For others, it is a focused experience that shapes how they bring service dog principles into their own training, nonprofit, or community work.
If you feel drawn to this kind of work—to dogs, to people, and to the quiet, shared work of building more independence—this seminar is a place to start. It is where you can begin learning to train the dogs who may become the one steady thing in someone’s hardest days.
Program Educational Objectives and Learning Outcomes
To read about the objectives and learning outcomes for the Service Dog Training seminar click here
This school is a business corporation authorized by the State of Oregon to offer and confer the academic degrees and certificates described herein, following a determination that state academic standards will be satisfied under OAR 583-030. Inquiries concerning the standards or school compliance may be directed to the Higher Education Coordinating Commission Office of Degree Authorization, 3225 25th Street SE, Salem, Oregon 97302 or [email protected].
 
All teaching materials including views or opinions presented in these courses are proprietary to Bergin College of Canine Studies and explicitly engineered so students who graduate from our degree programs or seminar certificate programs may benefit from a career that involves or utilizes dogs. These teaching materials are those of Bergin College of Canine Studies and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any other organization.
Bergin College of Canine Studies