Our Graduates Programs
We’re pleased to provide this handy way to find our graduates whose websites link to us. If you’re a Bergin University graduate and would like to be listed here, please send an email to info@berginu.org.
Graduate Profiles
What do graduates of BUCS actually go on to do? And how is their success related to their experiences as students at Bergin University? We seek to shed some light on those questions in our Graduate Profiles.
We’re very proud of the accomplishments of our graduates. Their hard work has resulted in some truly remarkable outcomes, and we hope you find as much inspiration in their ventures as we do.
Grace Van Dyke
Training Coordinator, Prison Pet Partnership Program
Website: http://www.prisonpetpartnership.org
Grace Van Dyke was hired by the state of Washington’s Prison Pet Partnership shortly after her graduation in 2007 from the University’s Associate Degree Program. “Hurricane Katrina prodded me to search for a new path in life,” writes Grace of the destruction of her hometown. “This led me to pursue an Associate of Science Degree in Assistance Dog Education at [Bergin University of Canine Studies] in Santa Rosa, California.” She is family now – and like family, we revel in her success. Hired as the Training Coordinator for the Prison Pet Partnership Program, Grace’s contribution there is diverse in keeping with her multiple talents – from organizing to touching the lives of everyone associated with the program.
AS Class of 2009
The Bergin University of Canine Studies, Home of the Assistance Dog Institute, is pleased to introduce our Associate of Science degree class of 2009. We are honored to bring great talent to the your attention and to provide networking and employment opportunities for Assistance Dog International members and our graduates. Please take a moment to read about our graduates’ backgrounds and interests and contact them when you’re seeking special talents.
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Lisa Anderson & Spice Evanston, Wyoming AS in ADE |
I will be continuing my education this fall. I plan on getting a BS in Biology and am primarily fascinated in animal behavior. Being a true academic and dog lover I am interested in pursuing internships and seminars to increase my knowledge and skills. In the long term I hope to start an assistance dog program in a more rural area that does not offer these services. |
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Tricia Clarkson & Stuart San Jose, California AS in ADE |
My goal is to train assistance dogs for another program that has already been started in the state of California. Also I am very interested in training Police Dogs. Bergin University has given me a great opportunity to work with different types of training and has opened many doors for my future career. |
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Sharon Grant & Simone Lawrenceville, New Jersey AS in ADE |
My ideal job would be training dogs at a Service Dog Organization on the East Coast. Considering my love of trick training, I also hope to one day experience training movie dogs. I am an artist who enjoys the creative aspects of training dogs as well as the problem solving to find what works for each individual dog. One of my most talented dogs is featured on you tube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmVDR8KGp2I |
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Stacey Herman & Seddy San Clemente, California AS in ADE |
My hope is to train and place service dogs for an existing organization or train service dogs for a fee to be placed by an organization. I would also be interested in training hearing dogs or scent detections dogs for allergy, cancer, or diabetes alert. I plan on relocating to a coastal state so I can pursue another dream of mine, developing a scuba diving program for disabled veterans. |
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Ming Chin Lin & Uki Keelung,Taiwan AS in ADE |
Assistance dog is regarded as one of the best way for human beings to get along with dogs by the majority of people. Furthermore, to combine my passion with professional skills in being a trainer of assistance dogs and to help those who can be helped by dogs, such as the deaf is my ambition toward the career. With regard to my background, I have been utterly familiar with dogs’ behavior my and what service they can provide to people as well. Equally importantly, I would like to be the best bridge between people and dogs. |
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Shannon McBride & Uki Shingle Springs, California AS in ADE |
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Colleen Powell & Uno Minneapolis, Minnesota AS in ADE |
I feel that Bergin University has given me a great start and I am very excited to learn more about canine behavior and training. I would like to further my experience working with dogs by providing services to the community. I have been offered a job working at a pet club that includes daycare, grooming and a dog park and will be implementing dog walking services as well. I am very excited to gain more knowledge to prepare me my career. |
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Linda Ryan & Tatiana Novato, California AS in HCLS |
As the first student to graduate with an AS in Human-Canine Life Sciences, my studies included kennel management and an opportunity to teach public obedience classes. This curriculum has prepared me well
to return to Novato to pursue training opportunities in
obedience along with pet sitting and dog walking. I
also participated in service and social/therapy training
and look forward to applying what I have learned in
these areas. |









