Promoting mobility, independence and inclusion for Guide & assistance dog users across Europe.
Shaping EU standards and training quality to improve consistency and safety.
Creating an environment where guide & assistance dogs and their users can thrive.
Creating A Europe Where Guide & Assistance Dog Users Can Move Freely
Why It Matters
Barriers & Refusals Still Limit Independence – We Aim To Remove Them
Access Rights
Promoting understanding and respect for assistance dog users through education, campaigns and public engagement.
STANDARDS
Support
Awareness
Protecting the right of every guide and assistance dog team to enter public places, transport and services without discrimination.
Members
Blindenführhundschule Schubert und Wetzel
Vodicí psi srdcem
Dansk Blindesamfund
Opaskoirayhdistys
Abikoerte Keskus - Assistance Dogs Estonia
Les chiens guides d’aveugle FR
Σκύλοι Οδηγοί Λάρα: Γνωρίστε τη Σχολή μας
Belgisch Centrum voor Geleidehonden
I See Foundation
Dogs For Disabled Ireland
Sons - Czech Blind Union
Pro Dotyk zs
ANM Chiens Guides
Deutschen Blinden- und Sehbehindertenverband!
Liberty Guide Dogs
Baráthegyi Vakvezető Kutya Iskola
MVGYOSZ
Unione Italiana dei Ciechi
Malta Guide Dogs
Lund Hundetjesnester
Labrador Fundacja
ABAADVA
Light In To Europe
Psi na zivot
Association SLO-CANIS
Norges Forerhundforbund
La Fundación ONCE
Rehber Köpekler Dönergi
National Federation for Blind UK
Psychiatric Assistance Dogs Foundation
Pres Pro Tebe
Suomen Opaskoirakoulu
Sunu Universitetas
Guidedogs Gruenberger
Pfotenpiloten
Hessian Guide Dog School
Chiens guides d'aveugles au Luxembourg
Blindrafelagid
Teodors
Brugernes Førerhunde Ordning
Board
ANDREW LAMB — PRESIDENT
Diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa at five, Andrew built a career as a GP before specialising in medical IT, developing systems used across UK healthcare. Now based in France, he works internationally as a consultant. Partnered with his guide dog Esthete since 2011, he strengthens EGDF’s leadership and policy influence.
ANA BACELO — BOARD MEMBER
Blind since birth, Ana partners with Abba, her third guide dog. She holds degrees in Music, Psychology and Management, alongside training in animal behaviour. Working in HR for a major Portuguese bank, she volunteers internationally and supports cross-border cooperation to expand independence and confidence for guide dog users.
PAULINE EILERS — BOARD MEMBER
Pauline represents the French guide dog users’ organisation and joined the EGDF Board in 2022. After losing most of her vision in adolescence, she now works confidently with her guide dog. With a background in international education and mobility programmes, she supports cross-border standards and cooperation across Europe.
SERHAN KALELI — BOARD MEMBER
Serhan began working with service dogs in 2002 and later focused on assistance dog standards and programme development in Turkey. His background combines operational research and training expertise. Through EGDF, he supports harmonised standards, quality development and international cooperation to expand high-quality assistance dog provision across Europe
CAMELIA PLATT — BOARD MEMBER
Camelia has played a central role in developing services and accessibility reforms for children with sight or hearing loss in Romania. An Occupational Therapist and policy advocate, she contributes experience in legislation, inclusion programmes and organisational leadership to strengthen EGDF’s engagement with policymakers across Europe.
KARINE GARNIER — BOARD MEMBER
Karine has worked with three guide dogs and volunteered within the French Guide Dog Users Association for more than twenty years. Involved with EGDF since its creation, she advocates for consistent rights, strong training standards and improved public awareness, ensuring guide dog users can travel and participate freely across Europe.
SUSANNA KOVASIN — BOARD MEMBER
JAN ROSSMAN — BOARD MEMBER
Jan transitioned from a career in cybersecurity consultancy to lead a guide dog school in 2021. Combining strategic planning and operational leadership, he supports governance and sustainable development within guide dog services. Through EGDF, he contributes technical insight to strengthen standards and expand high-quality provision across Europe.
EMIL URBANCL — BOARD MEMBER
Emil brings over 18 years of experience in training guide and assistance dogs, supporting the independence and mobility of blind and visually impaired people. Combining hands-on expertise with leadership across national and international projects, he helps uphold high standards of training, welfare and collaboration within guide and assistance dog services across Europe.
JANE RICHARDS — EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Jane leads the European Guide Dog Federation, representing the organisation within European standards work and driving membership growth across the continent. With experience spanning corporate leadership, hospitality and charity governance, she provides strategic direction to influence policy, strengthen professional frameworks and improve access for guide dog users.
Latest News
Assistance Dog Verification: Finding a Fairer Approach
A recent UK dispute has highlighted a wider question for assistance dog access: how can legitimate partnerships be recognised fairly without restricting recognition to particular training organisations?
Turning Access Refusals into Action: OBAC and Uber
A new partnership between ANM’Chiens’ OBAC and Uber shows how evidence from access refusals can be turned into practical action to improve travel for guide and assistance dog users.
When Guide Dog Access Is Refused: Are We Reporting IT?
Legal rights do not always guarantee access in practice. An Australian guide dog user has been awarded compensation after being refused accommodation because of her guide dog – highlighting why stronger awareness, enforcement and evidence of access refusals continue to matter.