Our vision is to become more than an educational institution, more than a facilitator of revolutionary research. To become a lyceum that inspires the pursuit of a deeper understanding of the human-dog bond, to benefit society with new applications of that bond but also to seek a profound understanding of humanity’s relationship with dogs, and consequently, with the animal kingdom.
Mission Statement - Our up-to-date, in-depth academic and applied coursework provides students the opportunity to expand their knowledge of the varied schools of human-canine partnerships; or through the diverse viewpoint provided by dogs as a model of humankind, to enhance knowledge for the students’ own career-oriented specialties.
Bergin College of Canine Studies, home of the Assistance Dog Institute, has a singular vision: to advance the human-canine partnership through research and education.
That vision is expressed in a growing range of programs, inspired and informed by the breakthrough work of Dr. Bonnie Bergin. Using leading-edge academic coursework along with daily hands-on experience, you can expand your knowledge and skills for scholarly or career purposes, or enhance the parameters of your existing specialty using the unique perspective and potential provided by human-canine studies.
We invite you to join us as we continue to break new ground in “Helping Dogs Help People,” the only college offering Master’s, Bachelor’s and Associate degrees in dog studies, as well as creating the High School Assistance Dog Program for at-risk teens, and researching how to teach dogs to read and how to train pups as young as three weeks. We believe the possibilities of the human-canine partnership are limited only by human imagination.
Since our founding in 1991, hundreds of people from 16 countries and 34 states have attended our College programs, and we have graduated over a hundred service and social/therapy teams. Our groundbreaking research in teaching dogs to read, early pup training, and High School -Assistance Dogs demonstrates new ways to optimize humans’ interactions with dogs. These findings are shared worldwide.
Bergin College of Canines has continued its journey from Penngrove, California, to its new home in Canyonville, Oregon, embracing fresh opportunities in a vibrant and welcoming community. This move places the College in the heart of Southern Oregon’s stunning natural landscape—lush forests, winding rivers, and scenic trails—offering an ideal environment where both students and training dogs can thrive. The peaceful, friendly atmosphere of Canyonville encourages focused, hands-on learning while providing enriching outdoor experiences that deepen the bond between student and dog at every level. .
