Fondation Barry du Grand-St-Bernard

What Fondation Barry du Grand-St-Bernard does

The Fondation Barry du Grand-St-Bernard is a Swiss non-profit foundation established in January 2005 in Martigny, canton of Valais, that took over the kennel and breeding of the legendary Saint-Bernard dogs from the Congregation of Canons of the Grand-St-Bernard. The foundation owns and operates the world's oldest Saint-Bernard breeding program with a continuous lineage dating back over 300 years, including direct descent from Barry I (1800–1814), the rescue dog credited with saving more than 40 lives at the pass. As of the latest disclosures it maintains a population of 32 Saint-Bernard dogs, consumes approximately 10 tonnes of kibble annually, and is recognized as a public utility under the Swiss Civil Code with Certodog certification since 2008.

The foundation's operations are organized around three core programs: (1) Barryland, the world's only theme park dedicated to the Saint-Bernard dog, which reopened in an expanded form in June 2025 with a new dog-paw-print-shaped building and an official vernissage in August 2025 attended by Swiss Federal President Karin Keller-Sutter; (2) Barry Social, a certified animal-assisted intervention program deploying human-dog teams to Swiss healthcare and educational institutions, which conducted 609 interventions in 2025 across hospitals, psychiatric facilities, nursing homes, and schools; and (3) a breeding program that produced 27 puppies across two litters in 2024 (Haïka in March, Jazz and Muffin in December) for pedigree sales, sponsorship, and team expansion. Supporting services include summer hiking experiences at the Col du Grand-St-Bernard pass (June–September), Barry Stay overnight programs, the Café de Barry restaurant, event hosting, and a kennel webcam for remote puppy viewing.

Revenue is generated through a hybrid model combining direct-to-consumer transactions (theme park admissions, Barry Shop e-commerce merchandise priced from CHF 16.90 to CHF 49.90, café and restaurant sales, experience bookings), institutional partnerships (Barry Social deployments to named healthcare customers including PUK Zurich, Swiss Paraplegic Centre Nottwil, EMS Uster, Centre for seniors Dübendorf, and Brüschhalde Männedorf), and philanthropic support (individual donations, the "Ami de Barry" recurring sponsorship program launched in July 2026, bequests, and corporate sponsorships from Cornèrcard, Suzuki, and Domaines Rouvinez). Customer segments span general public and tourists, healthcare and educational institutions, donors and supporters, and Saint-Bernard adopters. The foundation markets through a multi-language website (French, German, Italian, English), owned social channels (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, TikTok), and PR/earned media, and is governed by a Conseil de fondation under President Claude Moret (appointed August 2025) with operational direction by Directrice Mélanie Glassey-Roth (appointed September 2024).

Name

Fondation Barry du Grand-St-Bernard

Legal name

Fondation Barry du Grand-Saint-Bernard

Website

https://fondation-barry.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Fondation Barry du Grand-St-Bernard is a Swiss non-profit foundation in Martigny that maintains the world's oldest Saint-Bernard dog breeding program, operates Barryland theme park, delivers animal-assisted therapy through Barry Social in Swiss healthcare institutions, and sells branded merchandise.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Heritage Animal Welfare & Tourism Services

NAICS

Zoos and Botanical Gardens (712130), Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services (81291)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Education & Community Outreach (Responsible Pet Ownership) (BPAGAIAK)

Keywords

• Saint-Bernard breeding
• Animal-assisted therapy
• Heritage theme park
• Nonprofit foundation services
• Specialty dog breeding

Headquarters

HQ city

Martigny

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Barry Shop Merchandise Sales: Sale of branded Saint-Bernard merchandise including plush toys (from CHF 19.90), books, LEGO-style construction sets, thermoses, candles, and photophores. Revenue supports dog welfare and training.
2. Barryland Theme Park Admissions: Ticket sales for Barryland, the world's only theme park dedicated to Saint-Bernard dogs, featuring interactive exhibits and dog encounters.
3. Experiences and Stays: Summer hiking/randonnées, private walks with Saint-Bernards, Barry Stay overnight programs at the Col du Grand-St-Bernard, and event bookings.
4. Café de Barry Restaurant: Restaurant operations at Barryland serving local, seasonal cuisine, currently operating from a temporary location at martignyexpo.
5. Donations and Sponsorships: Donations from individuals and organizations, 'Ami de Barry' (Friend of Barry) support program, inheritances and bequests, and corporate sponsorships from partners including Cornèrcard, Suzuki, and Domaines Rouvinez.
6. Puppy Sponsorships and Dog Adoptions: The foundation offers sponsorship programs for dogs and facilitates adoption of Saint-Bernard puppies and retired dogs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

The foundation operates the world's oldest Saint-Bernard dog breeding program (300+ years of continuous heritage), maintains 32 dogs at its Martigny kennel, runs the Barryland theme park dedicated to Saint-Bernard dogs, and delivers the Barry Social animal-assisted intervention program in Swiss healthcare and educational institutions (609 interventions in 2025). It generates revenue through Barry Shop merchandise, theme park admissions, overnight Barry Stay programs at the Col du Grand-St-Bernard, guided hiking experiences, the Café de Barry restaurant, event hosting, dog adoptions, and donations/sponsorships.

Product overview

Fondation Barry du Grand-St-Bernard operates a multi-faceted offering centered on the world's oldest St. Bernard dog breeding program (established 2005, with 300+ years of breeding heritage). The core products include Barryland theme park in Martigny featuring interactive experiences with the dogs, and Barry Social animal-assisted therapy programs deployed across Swiss healthcare institutions. Supporting offerings include the Barry Shop merchandise store (plush toys, books, LEGO sets, accessories), the Barryland Kennel Webcam for remote viewing, Barry Stay overnight experiences at the mountain pass, seasonal Col du Grand-St-Bernard visits, hiking experiences with the dogs, Café de Barry restaurant, event hosting services, and the breeding program itself which maintains the original rescue dog bloodline. The organization generates revenue through admissions, merchandise sales, donations, and sponsorship to fund dog welfare and social programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Barryland Theme Park The world's only theme park dedicated to the Saint-Bernard dog, located in Martigny, Valais, Switzerland. Features interactive exhibits, dog encounters, and educational experiences about the breed's 300+ year heritage at the Grand-St-Bernard pass. Reopened in expanded form in June 2025.
• Barry Social Animal-Assisted Interventions Animal-assisted therapy, activities, and pedagogy program deploying certified Saint-Bernard human-dog teams to hospitals, psychiatric facilities, nursing homes, and schools throughout Switzerland. 609 social interventions delivered in 2025. Includes structured training, certification, and ongoing deployment to institutional partners such as PUK Zurich, EMS Uster, and the Swiss Paraplegic Centre Nottwil.
• Barry Shop Branded Merchandise Online store at barryshop.ch selling Barry-branded Saint-Bernard merchandise including plush mascot toys (from CHF 19.90), photophore candles (CHF 16.90), LEGO-style construction sets (CHF 49.90), books (CHF 24.90), and thermoses (CHF 34.90). Revenue supports dog welfare, training, and social interventions.
• Saint-Bernard Dog Breeding Program The world's oldest Saint-Bernard breeding program with 300+ years of continuous heritage at the Grand-St-Bernard pass. Currently maintains 32 dogs and offers puppy sales, retired dog adoptions, and breeding services. Certodog-certified as an exemplary breeder since 2008. Litters in 2024 included Haïka's 11 puppies (March 25, 2024) and 16 puppies from Jazz and Muffin (December 2024).
• Heritage Experiences (Hiking, Barry Stay, Col du Grand-St-Bernard) Bookable visitor experiences including summer hikes at 2,400m altitude near the historic Hospice, private walks with Saint-Bernards around the Roman amphitheater in Martigny, overnight Barry Stay programs at the Col du Grand-St-Bernard, and seasonal (June-September) visits to the ancestral mountain pass where part of the dogs return each summer.
• Café de Barry Restaurant Restaurant serving regional cuisine prepared with local and seasonal products, operated at Martignyexpo during Barryland reconstruction and at Barryland once reopened. Open for dine-in and takeout, supporting the foundation's hospitality and visitor services.
• Event Hosting with Barry Corporate and private event services featuring the Saint-Bernard dogs, available for occasions such as company events, weddings, and special celebrations.
• Ami de Barry (Friend of Barry) Membership & Sponsorship Program Recurring donation membership program allowing individuals and organizations to provide ongoing financial support to the foundation, complemented by puppy sponsorship, retired dog adoption sponsorships, bequests and inheritances, and corporate partnerships (Cornèrcard, Suzuki, Domaines Rouvinez).

Quantifiable outcome

• 609 social interventions conducted in 2025 across healthcare and educational institutions in Switzerland
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• CornèrcardminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2005Cornèrcard is a Swiss payment card provider and corporate sponsor of the Fondation Barry. Their logo appears on the foundation's website as an official partner, indicating a marketing/sponsorship relationship supporting the foundation's activities.
• Suzuki Motor CorporationminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2005Suzuki is a Japanese automotive manufacturer and corporate sponsor of the Fondation Barry. Their logo is displayed on the foundation's partner page, suggesting sponsorship support for the foundation's mission.
• Domaines RouvinezminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2005Domaines Rouvinez, a Swiss winery in Valais, is a corporate sponsor of the Fondation Barry. Their logo appears on the foundation's partner page alongside Cornèrcard and Suzuki.
• Club Suisse du St. BernardcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2005The Fondation Barry is a member of the Club Suisse du St. Bernard, the official breed club for Saint-Bernard dogs in Switzerland. This is a foundational institutional partnership supporting breed standards, breeding guidelines, and breed preservation efforts.
• Maison Hospitalière du Grand-St-Bernard (Congregation of Canons of the Grand-St-Bernard)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2005The Congregation of Canons of the Grand-St-Bernard transferred the chenil and breeding of the legendary Saint-Bernard dogs to the Fondation Barry in January 2005. This founding transfer established the foundation's ownership of the world's oldest Saint-Bernard breeding program.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Pet Partners: US-based nonprofit (formerly Delta Society) that trains and certifies therapy animal-human teams for hospital, school, and nursing home visits. Directly comparable to Fondation Barry's Barry Social program in service model, certification structure, and institutional customer base.
• ProSpecieRara: Swiss heritage breed and plant preservation nonprofit dedicated to conserving endangered Swiss domestic breeds and varieties. Most directly comparable peer given the shared mission of preserving a specific heritage animal bloodline (Saint-Bernard) via breeding, public education, and visitor experiences.
• St. Bernard Club of America: National US breed club for Saint-Bernards, focused on breed standards, rescue, and education. Comparable to the foundation's breed stewardship and public education mission for the same breed.
• Club Suisse du St. Bernard: Official Swiss Saint-Bernard breed club and named partner of Fondation Barry. Comparable because it governs breed standards, breeder certification, and dog shows for the same breed population that the foundation breeds.

Broad incumbents

• Swiss National Museum: Switzerland's primary cultural heritage institution operating museum sites nationwide. Comparable to Barryland as a Swiss heritage and cultural tourism attraction with educational programming, but focused on material culture rather than live animals.
• Zoo Basel: Switzerland's oldest and largest zoological garden, operating public animal exhibits and educational programming. Comparable as a Swiss zoological/educational attraction with similar visitor-economics model, though on a much larger scale than Barryland.
• American Kennel Club (AKC): US national kennel club governing breed standards, registry, and dog shows. Comparable on the breed stewardship and education axis, though AKC is a registry/standards body rather than a breeder or attraction operator.
• Zoo Zurich: Major Swiss zoological park combining animal husbandry, conservation, and public education. Comparable to Barryland on the public animal-display and education axis, with broader species scope and larger operational footprint.
• Vier Pfoten / Four Paws: International animal welfare nonprofit operating sanctuaries and welfare programs across multiple countries. Comparable as an animal welfare nonprofit with public-facing facilities, donation-driven funding, and brand-led fundraising.

Emerging players

• Guiding Eyes for the Blind: Nonprofit breeding and training organization for guide dogs, pairing animals with humans for institutional service. Comparable on the breeding-plus-service-animal-human team axis, though mission (mobility) differs from Barry Social's therapy focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC7jcEje2jxlIW-FFlnzOntA
• Facebookfacebook.com/FondationBarry
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fondation-barry-du-grand-st-bernard
• Instagraminstagram.com/fondationbarry
• TikToktiktok.com/@fondationbarry

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Fondation Barry du Grand-St-Bernard