Healing Heroes
Compassionate Care for Every Chapter
Every Bernese Mountain Dog in our network — no matter their age, diagnosis, or prognosis — deserves to feel safe, loved, and comfortable.
Our Medical and Hospice programs ensure no Berner faces their health journey alone.
Could You Be
The Open Heart They Need
You don't need experience, just patience, love, and a quiet home. NBMDRN covers every expense and supports you every step of the way. Many of our fosters say it's the most meaningful thing they've ever done. 🐾
How we support
Medical & Hospice Berners
🏥
Emergency Medical Rescue
We pull Berners from shelters and crisis situations who face urgent medical needs — surgery, trauma recovery, severe illness. Our network of vets and foster coordinators mobilizes quickly when a life is on the line.FUNDED BY YOUR DONATIONS
From urgent medical intervention to end-of-life dignity, NBMDRN covers the full spectrum of care. Funded entirely by donations and powered by compassionate volunteers.
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Ongoing Medical Foster Care
Dogs with chronic conditions — cancer, orthopedic issues, heart disease, neurological challenges — are placed in trained foster homes where they receive daily medications, monitoring, and follow-up vet visits.FOSTER & FOSTER TO ADOPT HOMES
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Hospice & Palliative Care
When a Berner's prognosis means their time is limited, we place them in a loving hospice foster home focused entirely on comfort, dignity, and joy — ensuring their final chapter is filled with warmth.LOVED IN A FOSTER OR FOREVER HOME
Conditions
We Support
Bernese Mountain Dogs are a large breed with known health vulnerabilities. Our network is experienced supporting dogs facing a wide range of diagnoses.
🦴Orthopedic Issues
Hip and elbow dysplasia, cruciate ligament tears, and degenerative joint disease are common in the breed. We fund surgical and conservative management options
🧠 Neurological Disorders
Degenerative myelopathy, epilepsy, and other neurological conditions require attentive daily care — something our specialized medical fosters provide with expertise.
Spirit is a heart worm patient/survivor !
❤️ Cardiac Conditions
From congenital heart defects in young dogs (like little Delia's life-saving surgery) to age-related disease, our fosters are trained to support cardiac patients.
🌿 Rehab & Recovery
Post-surgical recovery, malnutrition from neglect, and trauma all require a safe, structured foster environment where healing can happen at the right pace.
🎗️Cancer
BMDs are disproportionately affected by certain cancers. We support dogs through diagnosis, treatment, palliative care, and, when the time comes, a peaceful farewell.
🐾 Senior Care
Older Berners surrendered by families or from mills often arrive with multiple age-related needs. We give them the comfort and dignity they deserve in their golden years.
From Intake to Healing
How It Works
Every medical rescue follows a structured, compassionate process — so no dog falls through the cracks.
01
Rescue & Intake
Dog comes from a shelter, breeder, or surrender situation. An initial health & wellness assessment is conducted.02
Veterinary Evaluation
Comprehensive vet exam including bloodwork, imaging, and specialist referrals. A care plan is established.03
Foster Placement
Matched with a medical or hospice foster based on the dog's specific needs, personality, and location.04
Recovery / Comfort
Ongoing treatment and monitoring — with the goal of adoption if possible, or a peaceful, dignified life in foster care.Your Donation
Medical rescues are costly. Every dollar goes directly to vet bills, medications, surgeries, and the daily care of Berners who have nowhere else to turn. NBMDRN is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit — your gift is tax-deductible.
Saves Lives
Dogs
In Our Care
These are the dogs currently in our medical or hospice programs. Each one is being cared for, loved, and supported by our incredible fosters/adopters—and by donors like you.
