Bergin University is continually gathering and analyzing data relating to the dogs and their human counterpart. Data collection and analysis is often part of a student’s coursework as the University. Its faculty and staff continue to seek better, more in-depth and up-to-date information relating to its mission of “Helping Dogs Help People.”

In addition, the University works to track its graduates and their accomplishments to provide accurate information for incoming students about professional and career possibilities.

Please contact us if you would like information about our research on the following topics:

Paws for Purple Hearts Project - learn more >>

Our Paws for Purple Hearts project is the only program of its kind in the world. It builds on the time-honored tradition of soldiers assisting other soldiers.

Scent Detection

College of Scent Detection is the department that researches and trains dogs to detect the vine mealy bug, cancer and other scents that will help humankind.

Teaching Dogs to Read

Dr. Bergin’s innovative research on teaching dogs to read words demonstrates that a dog can recognize abstract symbols. The excitement of this discovery is only surpassed by the knowledge that reading networks areas in the dog’s mind. This networking ultimately leads to the dog’s increased ability to conceptualize, to think outside the box and to open new worlds of cognitive capability.

High School Assistance Dog Training

The curriculum that Dr. Bergin developed and shares worldwide engages at risk teens and teaches them to train service dogs. In doing so, these teens can overcome their socially inappropriate behavior and begin to heal the scars of emotional, physical and psychological abuse they have suffered. A non-judgmental being, the dog, looks deep into the teen’s heart, finds love and longing there, and responds accordingly. A new behavior path is born, both for the dog -- eager to prepare for a life of service -- and for the teen who, embraced by this love and purpose, is desirous of facilitating the dog’s goal to help someone in need.

Personalities

Researching how to discern dog personality types and utilize that knowledge to match humans and dogs has been a major focus of the University. A dog’s facial expressions, body dynamics and tail carriage and movement receive significant attention in our study of personalities. Since we know that dogs have distinct personalities that please or frustrate the people around them, our research enables us to identify the best pairing for a service dog team. For example, we match someone who is very social with a dog who shares similar social inclinations. This eliminates a potential frustration by matching the person with a dog who prefers less social interaction.