If you are a dog lover who also dreams of attending college and building a career around your love, you may be wondering if there are any schools that offer canine programs. The good news is that there are a few colleges and universities that offer programs specifically designed to help students prepare for a career in dog training and therapy.

One of the most well-known schools for this is Bergin College of Canine Studies. Located in Southington, Connecticut, Bergin College offers a variety of programs for students interested in a career in dog training. The school's curriculum includes courses on canine behavior, service training, and canine health and care. Bergin College also offers students the opportunity to participate in the school's research programs, like Paws for Purple Heart and Teaching Dogs to Read.

From the school: “Our goal is to advance the human-canine partnership through research and education by offering quality instruction in human and canine studies to postsecondary students worldwide interested in furthering their knowledge of themselves and the role of the dog in human society; through the College's up-to-date, in-depth academic coursework, to provide students an opportunity to expand their knowledge for scholarly or career purposes or enhance their knowledge of their own specialties through the unique viewpoint provided by human-canine studies.”

Bergin College offers Certificate, Associate’s, Bachelor’s, and Master’s degree programs.

If you are interested in attending a college with a canine program, be sure to do your research to find the school that is the best fit for you. Consider the school's location, size, curriculum, and cost. You should also talk to current students and alumni to get their feedback on the program. Most colleges will require you to have a dog available to train, whether it be your own companion, or one provided to you by the college itself.

If you do your research and prepare thoroughly, you and your dog will be well on your way to a new career.

Cover photo by BRUNO CERVERA on Unsplash