Dieter Ehrengruber
Managing Director
Dieter Ehrengruberhas accompanied Gut Aiderbichl from the very beginning and was instrumental in founding the unique meeting place between humans and animals.
It was chance that brought Dieter Ehrengruber to animal welfare. Back then, years before Gut Aiderbichl was founded, he met Michael Aufhauser by chance in a Salzburg park. Michael Aufhauser was there with his employees and a large group of dogs. It was already getting dark and Michael Aufhauser asked him to help him with his dogs. The two got to talking and our founder told him about his dogs, about their worries, fears, hardships and quirks. And after just a few minutes, Dieter Ehrengruber saw the animals with different eyes. They were not just dogs - but individual living beings.
Michael Aufhauser told him about his idea to create places where hundreds of thousands of people would meet rescued animals, to experience and feel them. His goal was also to address young people and get them excited about the topic of animals.
Dieter Ehrengruber was fascinated by this vision. Although he could not immediately imagine what exactly Michael Aufhauser was up to, his words never left his mind. Today, Dieter Ehrengruber knows that on that day he met what he considered to be the greatest visionary, because the encounter with Michael Aufhauser changed him forever: It was the foundation stone for the rest of his life.
Since that day, Dieter Ehrengruber has supported Michael Aufhauser in realising his vision. He was also instrumental in the founding of Gut Aiderbichl - the unique meeting place between humans and animals.
In 2003 Dieter Ehrengruber took over the management of Gut Aiderbichl GmbH and since has been responsible for internal processes, planning and construction. Dieter Ehrengruber was also involved in the establishment of the three charitable Gut Aiderbichl foundations in Austria, Germany and Switzerland, where he serves as the foundation's board member.
Since Michael Aufhauser's serious illness in May 2015, Dieter Ehrengruber has had overall responsibility for all farms and all activities at Gut Aiderbichl. Just as our founder Michael Aufhauser had wished.
