About Bernie’s University
Bernie’s University is the educational arm of Bernie’s Best, offering a wiki-style knowledge base that empowers pet parents with science-backed insights into dog nutrition and wellness. Built to connect complex topics like ingredients, health conditions, and therapies in an accessible format, it serves as a trusted resource for both holistic and conventional approaches to canine care.
Affiliation with Bernie’s Best
Bernie’s University (BU) is a natural educational extension of Bernie’s Best, our functional, science-backed supplement brand. While Bernie’s Best focuses on formulating exceptional products, BU provides a broader view of canine health—free from commercial bias.
The Origin of Bernie’s University
In our daily work researching ingredients for Bernie’s Best supplements, we uncovered a wealth of information not just about what helps dogs, but how and why. This knowledge grew as we spoke with pet parents about their dogs’ symptoms, veterinary advice, and treatment options. Over time, we realized we had an abundance of research, hidden in private files, that could make a meaningful difference if shared.
Thus, Bernie’s University was born: a space for science-backed, neutral insights into canine health. Here, you can find detailed information on the benefits of ingredients, the latest research, and connections between sourcing, bioavailability, and specific health conditions.
And while Bernie’s Best creates supplements inspired by Bernie himself, Bernie’s University exists to empower pet parents with information—whether or not they use our products.
Both inspired by Bernie the Bernese Mountain Dog
• Bernie’s Best creates functional, science-backed supplements.
• Bernie’s University is an educational expansion of Bernie’s Best supplement brand.
Our Philosophy for Dogs
Learn more about our actionable, evidence-based approach to improving your dog’s quality of life. >
What do dogs truly need to thrive? At Bernie’s Best, we’ve asked this question countless times. From nutrition to enrichment, we’ve developed a Canine Wellness Philosophy that focuses on helping dogs live vibrant, joyful lives.
If we had unlimited time and resources, what would the best life for our dogs look like? And in the real world, how can we bridge the gap between the ideal and the achievable? Our philosophy explores these questions, offering practical guidance to help you make the most of the time and resources you have.
Our philosophy emphasizes:
• Health Span, Not Just Life Span: Prioritizing years filled with energy, mobility, and joy, not just length of life.
• A Holistic Approach: Addressing the physical, mental, and emotional needs of your dog as a whole.
• Respect for Individuality: Observing and adapting to your dog’s unique preferences, health conditions, and personality.
Contact Us
Bernie’s University is a living resource, dedicated to providing accurate, science-backed information to support your dog’s health and well-being. We value collaboration and continual improvement, so if you’ve spotted something that needs correcting or have expertise to share as a guest contributor, we’d love to hear from you.
We’re also on the lookout for guest bloggers to contribute to the Bernie’s Best Blog! If you’re passionate about sharing insights, tips, or stories about canine health, nutrition, or wellness, let’s connect.
Email us at: university@bernies.com
Together, we can ensure Bernie’s University and Bernie’s Best Blog remain trusted and inspiring resources for pet parents everywhere.
The Team
Many hands at Bernie’s Best have helped build Bernie’s University into what it is today. But when it comes to the science, structure, and educational voice behind it, our resident dog nerds Emily and Vince have led the way. With complementary backgrounds in science, product development, and dog health education, they help make BU a trusted, curiosity-driven resource for pet parents who want to dig deeper.
Emily
With a Bachelor of Science in Animal Sciences from Auburn University, Emily is passionate about making complex canine health topics approachable, grounded, and genuinely useful. She has worked in the pet supplement field since 2016, combining hands-on experience in customer support, education, and marketing with a lifelong commitment to animal care.
Her work is guided by the same curiosity and care she strives to bring to her own dogs, who remain her favorite teachers – and the reason she keeps digging deeper.
Vince
With a B.S. in analytical chemistry from the University of Illinois and over 27 years of experience in applied research and new product development across consumer goods, medical devices, and energy production, Vince brings a unique, cross-disciplinary approach to animal nutrition. Named on more than 40 patents, he has a proven track record of innovation, including extensive research in lignocellulosic biocrops for both energy and nutritional applications.
A lifelong learner with a passion for cutting-edge science—and a deep love for dogs—Vince is dedicated to advancing safe, effective, and science-backed solutions for companion animal health.
For Bernie and Beyond
Though inspired by our beloved Bernie, our mission goes beyond individual dogs—it’s about shaping a better future for pets everywhere. By providing accessible, science-backed resources, BU contributes to a world where:
- Pet parents feel confident navigating health decisions.
- Veterinary professionals and holistic practitioners have better-informed partners in care.
- Knowledge spreads, helping pets live healthier, happier lives.
Through Bernie’s University, we aim to inspire a ripple effect of positive change in pet care—starting with you and your dog.
Explore Bernie’s University
Visit the Home page for more information about Bernie’s University.
Why Trust Bernie’s University?
Trusting information, especially about your dog’s health, is a big decision. Here’s why you can rely on Bernie’s University—and why you shouldn’t stop there:
2. Created by Pet Parents, for Pet Parents: As lifelong dog lovers and research enthusiasts, we understand how overwhelming health information can be on the internet. We start every topic with curiosity, not preconceptions, so we can explain it clearly and thoroughly.
3. Neutral & Transparent: We openly disclose our connection to Bernie’s Best supplements, but BU is designed to present a full picture of every topic, free of sales-driven language.
4. Free, Now & Always: Bernie’s University is paywall-free because we believe education should be accessible to all.
5. Up-to-Date & Evolving: Each article includes its latest review date, so you know how fresh the information is. We continually refine our content to reflect the latest science and best practices.
We hope you use BU as a trusted starting point, but remember: no single source holds all the answers. Your critical thinking and collaboration with trusted experts are the keys to making the best choices for your dog.
Learn More About Bernie’s University
Visit the About Us page for more information about Bernie’s University.
What is Bernie’s University?
- A wiki-style knowledge base built for pet parents to explore dog health, nutrition, and wellness.
- Integrates scientific research, accessible summaries of complex topics, and actionable insights into a single, user-friendly resource.
- Covers everything from ingredients and nutrients to health conditions, therapeutic interventions, and lifestyle strategies.
What Makes BU Unique?
- Interconnected Learning: Every topic is interconnected. See how health conditions relate to ingredients, nutrients, and interventions in a dynamic, user-friendly format.
- Holistic & Conventional Approaches: Discover how modern medicine and alternative care work together to support your dog’s well-being.
- Insights Into Therapies, Diagnostics & Lifestyle Strategies: From medications to acupuncture to exercise routines, BU covers it all.
Quick Tips for Using BU
- Look for gold elements to interact with:
- Expand or collapse sections for more details.
- Navigate quickly throughout a page.
- Use the search bar for quick results on a targeted area of interest.
- Use the navigation bar at the top to explore major sections and subcategories.
Pathways to Explore BU
- Start with your main area of interest
- Follow linked content to dive deeper into related concepts
- Use charts to understand the relationships between related topics
- Tip: Use the “At a Glance” column for a quick top-view glossary definition of this term and how it relates to dogs.
- Tip: Use the “Connect the Dots” column for more detailed commentary on the relationship between linked pages.
- Bookmark or save pages for future reference—BU is designed to be a long-term resource!
How is BU organized?
To make the complex world of canine health and nutrition more accessible, Bernie’s University is divided into three major sections:
- Dog Health: Learn about health conditions and the therapeutic interventions and lifestyle strategies that help.
- Food Web: Dive into the science behind ingredients and the food and nutrient categories they belong to.
- Library: Access blogs and external research summaries to expand your understanding.
Why These Categories?
Organizing the vast amount of information into strict hierarchies is inherently challenging—dog health, food, and nutrition are interconnected in ways that don’t always fit neatly into defined boxes. However, we aimed to create a system that balances clarity and functionality, while acknowledging some space for natural overlaps.