[NAGDU] Travel in Europe

[Peter Wolf]

Hi everyone,

As time draws closer to a first trip to Europe with service animals, I want to tighten up on my intelligence gathering.  Last year I made a first inquiry.  Cheryl and others were kind to input.  The biggest pointer was to talk to call embassies.  They were all dismal, with circular searches, and no one who actually knew anything except to point to “importing” dogs or “traveling with pets”.  So I want to tap into your collective experience as handlers.  

Metukah will be more clearly obvious, because of my cane and/or her harness handle.  My wife also uses a service dog (mobility) from an injury.  It’s hard to believe they are both six now…we promised ourselves a year after bonding puppyhood and training, before we’d set off outside ADA land in the U.S.  Since the beginning, we’ve traveled on about every kind of conveyance (bus, local and cross country train, shuttle, and regular flights all over the country.  

We know that once the international health  certificate is handled by our vet, we’re clear for that, except UK, which requires administering tapeworm drugs within 5 days of landing in UK.  Fine.  Then for all of the EU, if we understand it, there is just one common rule for service dogs with their international medical certificate (“the passport”).   You know I’ve been active in the discusssion about certifications in the US.  But here’s my question:  Who knows among you guys, if or what “certification” might be asked for in the EU?  This is a two-pronger:  I have a guide.  My wife has a “Service” dog.  

Fire away!  Thanks so much.
Peter