Welcome to Pine Tree Guide Dog Users Monthly News Updates.
Read about dog handling tips & tricks, advocacy news, favorite gear & toys, guide dog school updates, great-tasting recipes and more!
2025 News Updates List
February 2025
January 2025
February 2025
Welcome to the Pine Tree Guide Dog Users Monthly News Update, a nationally recognized publication for guide dog handlers and others interested in the guide dog movement. To offer submissions or feedback, please send us a message.
Community Connect
This section features community updates and more.
- Be our Valentine! We’re looking for a very special someone who is willing to volunteer their time and expertise to help us build our social media presence. Please reach out to us if you can help.
- Powering the partnership. Learn more about the skills that empower guide dog teams to go from one place to the next. Our Guide Dogs in Action Supplemental Material document provides a detailed overview of several skills routinely used by guide dog teams. (Expert review by Lukas Franck, GDMI, COMS. The Seeing Eye.)
- Best friends forever. Loyal, supportive, and always there for you — our dogs check all the boxes! Read Psychology Today’s recent blog entry about how pets embody the true qualities of friendship and the positive benefits they bring to our lives.
- Bird flu facts. At this time, the global outbreak of avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus is unlikely to spread to your dog. However, since avian influenza viruses often modify over time, the Medical Director at Guide Dogs for the Blind offers several suggestions for keeping your dog safe from catching the bird flu.
- Remembering Karen Pryor. A true pioneer in the fields of animal behavior and positive reinforcement training. Her groundbreaking work with clicker training, a method now used by many guide dog schools around the world, helped to bridge the communication gap between humans and animals. Learn more about her life and legacy.
- Mind your manners! A dog’s exuberant personality and boundless energy can sometimes lead to unwanted behaviors, especially when the doorbell rings. Try out these clicker training tips for teaching your furry friend to stay calm when visitors come to the door.
- Seizures and dogs. Whether caused by epilepsy or other conditions, seizures can be most distressing for both you and your dog. Watch the Animal Medical Center’s webinar on the causes, diagnostic approaches, and treatment options for seizures in dogs.
Advocacy Matters
This section features news on access and legislative issues.
- Safety first. Whether you’re preparing for your first guide dog, or you’re already a seasoned handler, Guiding Eyes for the Blind and Leader Dogs for the Blind offer guidance on how to prepare a safe home environment for your guide dog.
- Are you ready? The countdown to REAL ID enforcement is less than 100 days away. Beginning May 7, 2025, if you plan to use your state-issued ID or license to fly within the U.S. or access certain federal facilities, make sure it is REAL ID compliant. Or find out what other forms of identification are acceptable for U.S. travelers.
- Planning a trip abroad with your guide dog? Get tips, tools, and resources about traveling internationally from a recent webinar recorded by The Seeing Eye’s Advocacy and Government Relations team.
- Uber’s new self-ID option. Want to get all your questions answered about Uber’s new voluntary self-ID option for riders with service animals? Listen to the recent National Association of Guide Dog Users town hall meeting where board member, Al Elia talks with Uber’s Head of Global Accessibility Policy about the new self-identification option, including its purpose, how it works, and how riders can opt-in to use it.
Submissions From Members & Friends
This section features contributions shared by PTGDU members and friends.
A Journey of Change, Patience, and Love
By PTGDU member and book author Sue W. Martin
Last Winter, my guide dog Quan had a series of seizures. It was absolutely terrifying. I took him to the vet and called the school where he was trained. The consensus was to wait and see. I remember being told that, sometimes, a dog will have a seizure and never have another one.
Unfortunately, this is not what happened with Quan. A few weeks after that first seizure he had three in a row. We took him to the emergency vet where he stayed overnight. They put him on medication and we brought him home the next day.
For several days, he seemed disoriented and not very stable on his feet. We babied him and helped him the best we could. His vision on the right side was definitely affected, requiring caution when navigating doorways and stairs.
It seemed clear that Quan’s working life was over. I called the school to let them know what was going on and completed my application to train with a new dog. I have to admit, all of that seemed distant and slightly amorphous. I was focused on Quan in the “here and now.”
A few weeks after the last seizure, we tried taking a little walk on our quiet dirt road. I walked sighted guide with my husband, Jim. Although I took my harness with me, I just had Quan on a leash. He moved slowly at first but seemed to enjoy the little outing. After a week or so of these walks, I noticed that Quan was pulling ahead on his leash. So I harnessed him and, to my surprise, he pulled right out and guided me all the way home.
I experimented with letting Quan work in various environments. Granted, none of these were especially arduous, complicated, or dangerous. He wanted to work so I let him.
Fast forward to today. I guess the average dog handler would say that Quan is semi-retired. His pace is often too slow for my liking. He occasionally gets too close to the right edge of sidewalks and I step off. And he’s not great at marching right up to intersections and halting on a dime.
I’ve made allowances for all of this. When he seems slow or reluctant, I sometimes just take Jim’s arm and walk sighted guide for a bit. Or I let Jim lead with Quan following him quite readily. Sometimes I use a lightweight cane so I can keep track of the right edge of the sidewalk or path and avoid stepping off.
The old boy still has some surprises up his sleeve. We went to the beach recently and he did great. He worked without hesitation. Even on long hikes he pulled steadily and guided flawlessly.
Last weekend, we climbed a mountain in a local park. It was the same thing. He never hesitated, working beautifully for the entire five mile hike. Quan and I led the entire way back and he nailed every turn in the complicated route.
It’s now been almost a year since I completed my application to train with a new dog. The problem is that the school doesn’t have many shepherds available right now. Quan is doing the best he can. I know his work will never be what it was. I’m grateful when he pulls right out in harness. Otherwise, I’m trying to be patient and flexible.
Visit the PineTreeGuideDogUsers.org website for more personal stories about guide dogs and vision loss.
Gear, Supplies and Dog Toys
This section features a brief description of items favored by guide dog teams but is not intended as an endorsement of the actual products.
German Shepherd solid bronze Key Ring
The key to your heart! Made of solid bronze and attached to a brass key ring, this German Shepherd 3D mini-sculpture is beautifully textured and sealed to preserve the glossy finish and the fine detail. The approximate size of the mini shepherd standing on its base is 3/4 inches by 3/4 inches. The inner diameter of the key ring is 1 1/4 inches. Key rings with other breeds are also available. Made in the USA by The Hunting Horn Jeweler. $19.95.
PTGDU Recipe of the Month
This section features a favorite recipe from the guide dog community.
Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries
Add a taste of decadence to your Valentine’s Day with these quick and easy chocolate covered strawberries.
Ingredients
1 quart large strawberries with fresh green leaves
1-1/2 cups high quality milk chocolate, semisweet chocolate, or bittersweet chocolate chips
Instructions
1. Wash strawberries, pat dry, and leave out until they reach room temperature.
2. Cover a large baking sheet with a piece of parchment paper, foil, or waxed paper.
3. Heat chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl for about 1 minute, just till it looks soft and shiny. Gently stir chips until melted and smooth.
4. Hold a strawberry by its stem and swirl it in the chocolate. Be sure to coat all sides. Place on the pan. Repeat with the remaining berries, spacing them so they don’t touch.
5. Refrigerate the berries for 20 minutes. Then remove them from the refrigerator, and let them harden completely at room temperature. Best if served the same day.
About Us
This monthly news update is a publication of Pine Tree Guide Dog Users (PTGDU), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership organization serving Maine’s blind and low vision residents who are partnered with specially trained guide dogs. Founded in 1997, PTGDU’s mission is to promote complete acceptance of guide dog teams in all aspects of life. Visit us on the web or follow us on Facebook.
January 2025
Welcome to the Pine Tree Guide Dog Users Monthly News Update, a nationally recognized publication for guide dog handlers and others interested in the guide dog movement. To offer submissions or feedback, please send us a message.
Community Connect
This section features PTGDU community updates.
- The holidays may be over but the New Year is here! Kick off 2025 with PTGDU — join our group, renew your membership, follow our Facebook page, or make a donation. In the meantime, we wish each of you and your canine companions all the best for the new year!
- New coloring page for kids! Designed to encourage children to think about how dogs can assist people who are blind, our new coloring page shows a simple drawing of the guide dog team featured in our Guide Dogs in Action Educational Series as they walk along a country road. Other free materials offered in the series include a poster, two handouts, supplemental info, and a lesson plan.
- Bundle up! Every dog is different, but generally, temperatures below 32F can be problematic for dogs. Age, breed, fitness level, and concurrent medical conditions all influence how your dog handles cold temperatures. Read more about cold weather safety tips from the experts at Guide Dogs for the Blind.
- Couples Corner. Join guide dog handlers Jake Koch and Melissa Carney on Forward Together to learn more about their lives with two guide dogs. They’ll discuss how they navigate with their dogs, the importance of self presentation, and their take on making event spaces accessible.
- Financial assistance for Maine guide dog handlers. Occasionally, a guide dog will require major surgery, emergency care or some other significant medical procedure for which its handler may need help to pay. PTGDU’s Mary T. & Curtis D. Lovill Emergency Veterinary Expense Fund is intended to assist Maine guide dog handlers in these circumstances. For more details, please download a copy of our Emergency Veterinary Expense Fund Policy.
- Lost and found. A family member leaves a door cracked while bringing groceries into the house, the landscaper forgets to close the back gate, or your guide pulls away from you to engage with the neighbor’s dog. Whatever the circumstance, losing your guide dog can be a frightening and stressful experience. Check out these tips from Guiding Eyes for the Blind to proactively prevent lost dog incidents and the proper actions to take in order to report and locate a missing dog.
Advocacy Matters
This section features news on access and legislative issues.
- New and improved! The Seeing Eye’s Advocacy App for Apple/iOS and Google/Android is now easier to navigate and even more screen reader friendly. Some of the changes in this free app include:
1. Improved navigation: Key documents have been converted to HTML, making them much easier to navigate.
2. Quick access to resources: Direct dial and email links have been added in the HTML documents so you can easily reach out to the resources you need.
3. Better organization: The State Laws section now has a structured layout similar to your phone’s contact list, making it more intuitive to browse.
4. Enhanced search function: Significant improvements have been made to the search feature, including additional screen reader announcements to better guide you as search results populate.
- Help prevent access challenges in Maine’s public places. Share this pamphlet on service animals from the Maine Human Rights Commission and the Department of Justice’s ADA guidance on service animals with your local businesses.
- Rideshare discrimination. Despite the recent publicity about ridesharing and guide dogs, an article in The Associated Press reports that handlers continue to experience canceled rides, unwarranted cleaning fees for their guide dogs and outright refusals by rideshare drivers.
Gear, Supplies and Dog Toys
This section features a brief description of items favored by guide dog teams but is not intended as an endorsement of the actual products.
German Shepherd solid bronze Key Ring
The key to your heart. Made of solid bronze and attached to a brass key ring, this German Shepherd 3D mini-sculpture is beautifully textured and sealed to preserve the glossy finish and the fine detail. The approximate size of the mini shepherd standing on its base is 3/4 inches by 3/4 inches. The inner diameter of the key ring is 1 1/4 inches. Other breeds are also available. Made in the USA by The Hunting Horn Jeweler. $19.95.
PTGDU Recipe of the Month
This section features a favorite recipe from the guide dog community.
Corn and Cheddar Chowder with Bacon
Popular with Seeing Eye students and staff of all ages, this old-fashioned favorite with a Southwestern twist has just the right amount of heat and tang.
Ingredients
4 slices of thick bacon, chopped
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 teaspoons ground cumin
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
4 cups chicken broth
2 medium Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cubed
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 (16 oz.) pkg. frozen corn, thawed
8 oz. shredded sharp cheddar cheese plus extra for garnish
Instructions
Heat a heavy stock pot over medium-high heat and cook bacon until crisp. Remove bacon from pan and drain on paper towel-lined plate. Add butter and onions to remaining bacon drippings and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add cumin and stir for 1 minute. Add flour and stir constantly for 3 minutes. Slowly add broth and bring to a boil, stirring constantly until thickened. Add potatoes and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes. Slightly mash potatoes with the back of a spoon and then stir in cream and corn. Simmer for about 5 minutes, remove from heat and stir in cheddar cheese just until melted. Season with salt and pepper. Top each serving with a sprinkle of crumbled bacon and shredded cheese.
About Us
This monthly news update is a publication of Pine Tree Guide Dog Users (PTGDU), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership organization serving Maine’s blind and low vision residents who are partnered with specially trained guide dogs. Founded in 1997, PTGDU’s mission is to promote complete acceptance of guide dog teams in all aspects of life. Visit us on the web or follow us on Facebook.