Sunny Chestnut Farm

ABOUT US

Located in the heart of the High Country in Boone, North Carolina, Sunny Chestnut Farm is a premier breeder of Bernese Mountain Dogs. As breeders, our primary goals are to provide an excellent life for our dogs as members of our family, provide new families with beautiful and healthy pups and to further the Bernese Mountain Dog breed. We love what we do! It is amazingly fulfilling to work each day to do something that genuinely brings lasting joy, memories and happy moments into the lives of our puppies' families.

SUNNY CHESTNUT FARM

Our farm resides on 100 acres of mountain top land at 4,500' of elevation, the ideal environment for raising the finest mountain dogs. With miles of hiking trails, mountain streams, huge fenced in areas of woods to roam, snow drifts to dive through and wildlife to chase, our dogs truly live the mountain dog life.

Canine Therapy Work at SCF

Bernese Mountain Dogs are often called "gentle giants," and their naturally calm, affectionate demeanor makes them uniquely suited for therapy work. Multiple SCF Berners are certified therapy dogs with the Alliance of Therapy Dogs

Unlike service dogs, which are trained to perform specific tasks for one individual with a disability, therapy dogs are social ambassadors. Their primary job is to provide psychological and emotional support to a wide range of people in settings like hospitals, schools, nursing homes, and even disaster areas. Quiet moments of canine affection can significantly lower blood pressure, reduce cortisol levels and provide a unique sense of security.

The journey for SCF Berners to become certified therapy dogs is a rigorous process that begins with a solid foundation in behavior and obedience. Once a dog is at least one year old, they must pass several formal tests with a professional evaluator. This process assesses the dog’s temperament, ability to remain unfazed in chaotic environments and their response to interaction with unfamiliar people. Successful candidates then undergo supervised observation visits in real-world facilities before receiving their official certification and insurance.

Here at SCF, therapy work with our certified dogs is one of the most enjoyable things we do. We love when our dogs bring calm, happiness and big smiles in our community!