Our Team – With Heart, Mind, and Paws

At Eräkeskus, both our guests and our dogs are at the heart of everything we do. We are a small, dedicated team combining experience, genuine care and a deep love of animals to create a meaningful connection between people and dogs. Each of us brings our own skills and strengths – together, we create experiences and memories that last.

Get to know the people and animals that make our town so special.

Bianca

Founder, Animal Caretaker & Guide – always somewhere between the kennel and adventure

I was born and raised in Austria, and from an early age I knew that my heart belonged to animals and nature. After completing my first qualification as an electrician, I decided to follow my true passion and trained as an animal keeper at the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna.

After that, I was drawn abroad and to the world of sled dogs. I worked on husky farms in Norway and Finland, volunteered at an animal shelter in Hungary, and was active for several years in an animal welfare organization in Austria. I also gained experience in customer service at a large insurance company—expertise that serves me well in my day-to-day office work today.

Starting our own business was the natural next step towards making my dream a reality: creating a place where animal welfare, meaningful nature experiences and responsible tourism go hand in hand. Together with my husband Antti, we founded Eräkeskus Sled Dog Center and took over the farm in Nurmijärvi.

I love sharing my passion for dogs and nature with our guests—whether on a sled ride, a hike, or right here at the kennel. That’s where I spend a lot of time with our dogs, working with them and observing their behavior. It’s where I find peace and balance.

And of course, you’ll find me just about everywhere else on the farm—in the office, in the kitchen, or wherever a helping hand is needed.

Antti

Co-founder, Jack-of-all-trades & Guide – whenever something needs to be built, repaired, or cooked

I was born in Lieksa and grew up there—surrounded by nature. Even as a child, I spent a lot of time outdoors—fishing, camping, and exploring the surrounding forests. My family instilled in me a deep respect and appreciation for nature—values that have stayed with me my whole life.

Animals have always played an important role in my life, and I’ve always had a dog by my side. In 2019, thanks to my wife Bianca, I discovered a new passion—dog sledding. She introduced me to this wonderful world. Together, we founded Eräkeskus Sled Dog Center OY—a place where our shared love of nature, animals, and unique experiences comes together.

Here, I take on a wide variety of tasks—from working with the dogs and leading tours with guests to doing repairs and helping out in the kitchen. I love being outdoors the most, but you’ll often find me inside cooking or baking, too.

What I enjoy most, however, is spending time outdoors in nature—when I have the opportunity to help our guests appreciate the beauty of the Finnish wilderness and the special bond between humans and animals.

Tanja

Dog handler, all-arounder & guide—takes care of the dogs and makes sure we don't starve 😄

My name is Tanja, I’m 48 years old, and I’m from Switzerland. After working here at Eräkeskus as a dog handler/all-rounder for 4 ½ months during the fall/winter of 2024/2025, it quickly became clear to me that I wanted to repeat this adventure. So last fall, I packed everything I needed into my car again and drove to Finland with my dog, Naira, where I’m now working as a dog handler/all-rounder and guide for the entire winter season. I love the bond I share with the dogs, and seeing how they develop over the course of the season and the joy with which they run day after day fills me with deep gratitude for being part of the team. The workdays here are tough and demanding, but for me personally, they’re extremely rewarding. In addition to my daily work with the dogs, I’m also gaining experience in manual skills, getting to “let loose” in the kitchen, and learning to handle many unforeseen situations calmly and confidently. Since this season, I’ve also been able to take on guiding assignments, and I absolutely love introducing guests to the thrill of dog sledding and accompanying them on day trips. I look forward to having more and more wonderful experiences with the dogs, with the guests, and to a great team spirit.

Zeno

Fluffy Ball, Party Entertainer, and Sofa Expert

Hi, I’m Zeno! No one knows my exact age, but my registration says 2004. I spent a short time at a kill shelter in Hungary before animal welfare activists brought me to the Sarospatak shelter. That’s where Bianca, who was volunteering there, found me. “Brush Zeno” was on her to-do list—and, as is my way, I immediately had her wrapped around my paw. Shortly after that, Bianca took me home with her, and we’ve been inseparable ever since.

I have the fluffiest and softest fur, and I often hear that I’m the perfect companion. My job is to welcome guests and keep the sofa warm while my humans are working—which I take very seriously and I am really good at. In my free time, I love long cuddles and leisurely walks.

Ida

Source of encouragement, hiking partner, and secret boss

Hello, I’m Ida. I was born in April 2023, but I can barely remember my past – or perhaps I simply prefer not to think about it. When I was around four months old, animal rescuers found me on the streets of Vyborg and brought me to Finland.
I was little more than skin and bones and terrified of everything. I was so frightened that I did not want to leave the house, not even to go outside for a toilet break, let alone for a walk.

In Finland, I stayed with a foster family, but I never really felt at home there. They thought I would never find a forever home because I was so afraid of everything.

On December 22, 2023, Bianca and Antti came to visit. At first I was scared and just barked, but they were really nice to me and gave me time (and treats). Long story short: I’ve been part of the family since December 23, 2023, and I’ve changed a lot.

These days, I love going for walks, I only pee outside now, cars don’t scare me anymore (after I’ve walked around them with Bianca at least 300 times), and I’ve become a guard dog. I’ve even started to train sled pulling and I think it’s great.

I still have some fears, but I’m working on them together with my family. In my free time, I like to play and cuddle with my family. And I’m the perfect hiking companion: I never get tired, and I love sleeping right next to my humans in the tent.

Naira

Cleaning Pro, Crumb Inspector, and Food Kitchen Inspector

I’m Naira, a 9-year-old Labrador-Appenzeller mix. This is the second time I’ve spent a few months here at Eräkeskus with Tanja.

I wasn’t born a sled dog, but somehow racing is still in my blood—on shorter runs, I’m happy to join the Oldies team. Otherwise, I love going for walks and playing around with Ida and Zeno.

In the evenings, you’ll usually find me at the lodge, where I go to get my cuddles. I also make sure very carefully that not a single crumb is left on the floor. And I regularly check to make sure the door to the dog food kitchen is actually closed—if it isn’t, I naturally pop in to see if everything’s okay.

I’m a patient, sociable dog, and I’ve settled in really well here among all the huskies.

Baghira

Black Devil, Plant Killer, and Cuddle Queen

Hi, I’m Baghira, and I was born in June 2015. When I was about 6 weeks old, I was found on the street and temporarily taken in by a family who kept me in their garage. Bianca then found me online as an emergency case, came to pick me up—and we’ve been living together ever since.

I’m a true house cat and share my kingdom with Bella. People often affectionately call me the “Black Devil.” When I’m hungry and Bianca or Antti are too slow, I always take a bite out of the houseplants—that gets them to feed me in a flash. People are strange, aren’t they? Fun fact: the tips of the leaves on almost all of our plants are missing by now.

I’m convinced: We cats are the rulers of the world, and our can-openers should follow our lead—in other words, open cans! I don’t really like strangers, but I cuddle with my humans whenever I want—and for as long as I want.

Also, people say I’m very loud—I take that as a compliment! You know what else I find strange? There are about 80 other dogs living on the property here… as if the two we have in the house weren’t enough!

Bella

Queen of Purrs, Hairband Hunter, and Guaranteed Good-Time Maker

Hi, my name is Bella and I was born in August 2014. Unlike all my furry housemates, I didn’t come directly from an animal shelter—at least not directly. My mom was found by Bianca’s cousin when she was heavily pregnant, and shortly after, she gave birth to me and my three siblings. When we were about ten days old, Bianca came to visit us. She fell in love with me right away and brought me home when I was eight weeks old. We’ve spent our lives together ever since—we even managed the move to Finland together.

I often hear that I’m probably the sweetest creature in the world: friendly, loving, and always in a good mood. It’s really unfortunate, though, that in April 2025, I was diagnosed with severe osteoarthritis in my knee, which was very painful. Since then, I’ve been getting an injection of a long-acting painkiller every 6–8 weeks—and now I’m feeling fine again.

I love lying on my humans’ stomachs and being stroked for as long as I please. And naturally, it only stops when I decide I’ve had enough – those are the rules.
My favourite toys? Hair ties, strings and ribbons of every kind! All the other things people keep buying for Baghira and me are, in my opinion, completely unnecessary. Although… Baghira may disagree – but then again, she also regularly destroys the leaves of our houseplants…