For more information please contact the fundraiser, Joye Neff, at: joye.neff@gmail.com

Purpose of the 2026 Fundraiser: We plan to dedicate funds to ensure dogs receive the lab and pathology work needed for an accurate diagnosis. Sophisticated imaging and necropsies are expensive, and in today's economy it can be difficult to justify that cost with a dog who is obviously dying or one who has passed. Many owners have already spent a great deal pursuing a diagnosis or treatment, while also carrying the emotional burden of loss.

This fundraiser will establish a fund to help owners who want to contribute to the future of the breed but need financial assistance. There will be no judgment—we will meet people where they are. Owners may submit expenses for reimbursement, and we will provide support until the fund is depleted.

The Berner-Garde Foundation's (BGF's) roots date back to the 1960s, when the BMDCA began requesting health information and storing it on 3-by-5 cards. In the 1980s, Martin Packard, an early computer enthusiast, began converting those records into electronic format. His vision was for data to support health research someday. While he was less concerned about perfect spelling of an owner's name or even a dog's name, he was deeply committed to collecting accurate health information. That vision became reality in 1985, when the Journal of Small Animal Practice published the first scientific paper using health records from the database. The BGF has continued its commitment to working with the scientific community to support research relevant to our beloved Bernese Mountain Dog.

The most common concern I hear about the database is missing health data. To address this, we began conducting health surveys last year and encouraging owners to update their dog's records. Is the dog alive? Has the dog passed? If so, what was the cause of death? Are there records to support the diagnosis? Gathering this information is tedious and costly, but we are committed to the long term.

This year, with your help, we plan to dedicate funds to ensure dogs receive the lab and pathology work needed for an accurate diagnosis. Sophisticated imaging and necropsies are expensive, and in today's economy it can be difficult to justify that cost with a dog who is obviously dying or one who has passed. Many owners have already spent a great deal pursuing a diagnosis or treatment, while also carrying the emotional burden of loss.

With the money raised we will establish a fund to help with pathology and necropsy expenses of high morbidity and high mortality diseases such as, but not limited to cancer, renal dysplasia and SAS.

Our goal is to assist owners who want to contribute to the future of the breed but need financial assistance. There will be no judgment—we will meet people where they are. Owners may submit expenses for reimbursement, and we will provide support until the fund is depleted.

Thank you for your continuing support.

For the love of a Berner.

Lori Jodar

President/BGF