Berger and Green Issues $30,000 Challenge Gift for WVU’s Hearts of Gold Service Dog Program

At Berger and Green, we are committed to helping people in the communities we serve in Ohio, West Virgina, and Pennsylvania. So, when we heard that the Hearts of Gold Service Dog Program at West Virginia University needed funding, we wanted to help.

We are proud to announce a $30,000 challenge gift to Hearts of Gold — enough to cover the full cost of training one service dog for a veteran.

How the Challenge Works

Our gift is a challenge, which means it only gets unlocked when a specific goal is met. On WVU Day of Giving — Wednesday, March 25 — we need 100 donors to give $10 or more at dayofgiving.wvu.edu/davis. When that happens, Berger and Green’s full $30,000 pledge is released to the program.

Every donor counts. Every $10 counts. And the window is just 24 hours.

About Hearts of Gold

The Hearts of Gold Service Dog Program, based in Morgantown, WV at West Virgina University, provides expertly trained service dogs to veterans living with mobility and psychiatric disabilities. Each dog completes a rigorous two-year training program tailored specifically to the individual client’s needs. The program operates in partnership with WVU’s Davis College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and serves clients within a 100-mile radius of its training center.

For many veterans, a service dog is far more than a companion. It is a source of independence, safety, and stability — support that can make a profound difference in daily life.

Why We Got Involved

“When we heard about the need for funding, we knew we wanted to help,” said Amanda Bonnesen, Managing Partner at Berger and Green. “We know how much disabled veterans sacrifice, and the need for service animals to support them is real and urgent. We’re excited to be a part of this journey and hope our challenge gift inspires others to join us.”

Advocating for those who have served is something that aligns deeply with our mission. Every day, we work with clients who face significant challenges navigating complex systems — and we know firsthand how much the right support can change someone’s life.

Follow the Journey

One of the most meaningful parts of this partnership is that once a dog is matched and training begins, you can follow along throughout the year to see the progress on our website and facebook page. From early training milestones to graduation, Hearts of Gold shares updates that remind you exactly why your gift mattered.

How to Help

If you’d like to be one of the 100 donors who unlocks our challenge gift, here’s what to do:

Visit dayofgiving.wvu.edu/davis on Wednesday, March 25

Give $10 or more

Share the link with friends and family in West Virginia, Ohio, and Pennsylvania

The campaign runs for just 24 hours, so mark your calendar and set a reminder. Together, we can make sure one more veteran gets the service dog they have earned.

To learn more about the Hearts of Gold Service Dog Program at WVU, visit dayofgiving.wvu.edu/davis