Thank you to all of the generous donors that made Longshots a smashing success this year! Pat Long’s Longshots Portrait Photos started in 1998, and has raised nearly $100,000 for Berner charities through the years. This year Longshots was hard at work at the 2022 BMDCA National Specialty in Hampton VA, and raised a record-breaking $7,000 for Berner rescue activities funded by the BMD Charitable Foundation. With this tremendous support from the Berner community we will be able to help Berners that need to be rescued, healed and placed in loving forever homes. Thank you to Pat and all of her helpers for capturing the true spirits of our dogs in wonderful images that will be treasured forever!
2022 Kickoff Fundraiser for Rescue
Health Program
The Bernese Mountain Dog Charitable Foundation Breed Health Committee (BMDCF BHC) is dedicated to help provide financial support for research and other activities to improve the health and longevity of the breed as a whole.
The BMDCF BHC works independently or with other organizations to find and support the research that will best further those goals.
The Breed Health Committee’s Main
Goals and Responsibilities
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To coordinate with the Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America and Berner-Lovers to help finance appropriate health research
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To review grant proposals approved by the American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation, Inc. (AKC CHF) and Morris Animal Foundation (MAF) to determine whether any of the grants would be beneficial for Bernese Mountain Dogs
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To support other research efforts considered to be of significant impact to Bernese Mountain Dog health
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To track and pursue any other efforts that may also be beneficial done by organizations such as genetic testing companies or educational research laboratories
The Process
The goal of the Foundation is to have sufficient funding to be able to quickly contribute to the support of appropriate research as opportunities arise, without the need for first raising the funds. The Foundation may take advantage of the prior review of health grants relevant to breed health by other organizations, such as the AKC CHF and MAF, to recommend projects and amounts for support.
The Foundation may partner with other organizations that fund and facilitate breed health research, such as the Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America and the Berner-Lovers Donor Advised Fund maintained at the AKC CHF. It is expected that joining efforts with other organizations will best assist in fully funding research efforts that have the greatest potential impact on the health of the breed.
In addition, the Foundation may solicit applications for funding of small projects or fellowships independent of submissions to other organizations. Specific and targeted fundraising efforts would be needed to support this effort. If needed, the Breed Health Committee may enlist the assistance of external experts to review proposals not previously vetted.
Proposals to fund projects will be developed annually, and as opportunities arise, by members of the Breed Health Committee. Proposals for funding of $1000 or less may be approved by majority vote of the BHC. Proposals approved by the committee for greater than $1000 must also be brought to the BMDCF Board for approval by a majority of members. If you would like to learn more about our process for providing funding to Berner health research or have any questions, we would love to hear from you. Please contact us at info@bmdcf.org.