Meet Healing Heroes: NBMDRN's Program
Healing Heroes: How NBMDRN Supports Berners Who Need More Than a Home
Some dogs arrive with wagging tails and an eagerness to meet everyone in the room. Others arrive carrying something heavier — a diagnosis, a surgery ahead of them, or a prognosis that means their time is limited. At NBMDRN, we believe every single one of those dogs deserves the same thing: safety, comfort, and love for every chapter they have left.
That's what Healing Heroes is built for.
What Is Healing Heroes?
Healing Heroes is NBMDRN's medical and hospice care program — a dedicated initiative that ensures no Bernese Mountain Dog in our network faces a health crisis alone. Whether a dog needs emergency surgery, daily medication management, or simply a warm and loving place to spend their final weeks, Healing Heroes makes it possible.
The program is funded entirely by donations and powered by our network of compassionate volunteers and medical foster families across the country.
Three Pillars of Care
Emergency Medical Rescue When a Berner arrives from a shelter or crisis situation facing urgent medical needs — trauma, severe illness, or a surgery that can't wait — our team mobilizes fast. We coordinate veterinary care, arrange transport, and place the dog with a foster equipped to support their recovery.
Ongoing Medical Foster Care Dogs with chronic conditions like cancer, heart disease, orthopedic issues, or neurological challenges are matched with trained foster families who provide daily medications, monitoring, and follow-up vet visits. These fosters don't just manage care — they give these dogs a real home to heal in.
Hospice & Palliative Care When a Berner's prognosis means their time is limited, we don't look away. We find them a hospice foster home focused entirely on comfort, dignity, and joy — so their final chapter is filled with warmth, not worry.
The Conditions We Support
Bernese Mountain Dogs are a large breed with known health vulnerabilities, and our network has experience supporting dogs across a wide range of diagnoses:
Orthopedic issues — hip and elbow dysplasia, cruciate tears, degenerative joint disease
Cardiac conditions — including congenital heart defects in young dogs
Neurological disorders — degenerative myelopathy, epilepsy, and more
Cancer — BMDs are disproportionately affected, and we support them through every stage
Rehab & recovery — post-surgical care, malnutrition recovery, trauma rehabilitation
Senior care — older Berners who deserve comfort and dignity in their golden years
How It Works
Every medical rescue follows a structured, compassionate process:
Rescue & Intake — Dog arrives from a shelter, breeder, or surrender. Initial health assessment is conducted.
Veterinary Evaluation — Comprehensive exam including bloodwork, imaging, and specialist referrals. A care plan is established.
Foster Placement — Matched with a medical or hospice foster based on the dog's needs, personality, and location.
Recovery or Comfort — Ongoing treatment and monitoring, with the goal of adoption when possible — or a peaceful, dignified life in foster care.
Could You Be a Healing Heroes Foster?
You don't need years of experience. You need patience, a quiet home, and a willingness to open your heart. NBMDRN covers every medical expense and supports you every step of the way. Many of our medical and hospice fosters describe it as the most meaningful thing they've ever done.
If that sounds like you, we'd love to connect. Apply to foster here.
Support a Healing Hero Today
Medical rescues are costly. Surgeries, specialist visits, medications, and daily care add up quickly — and every dollar donated goes directly to the dogs who need it most. NBMDRN is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, so your gift is fully tax-deductible.
💛 Sponsor or donate to a Healing Heroes case →
Because every Berner deserves a chance — no matter what chapter they're in.
