Monthly News Updates - Pine Tree Guide Dog Users

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!

Close-up of yellow Lab looking at camera with a hand holding the harness

2023 Monthly News Updates

2022 Monthly News Updates

2024 News Updates List
May 2024
April 2024
March 2024
February 2024
January 2024

May 2024

Welcome to the Pine Tree Guide Dog User’s 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.

You (yes, you!) are just the person we want to hear from. Drop us a note if you have suggestions for the etiquette tip sheet we’re working on for health care providers.
Safety first. Our dogs are cherished family members, and their safety during emergencies is a top priority, whether it’s a natural disaster, power outage, or an unexpected event. Find out how to prepare an emergency kit for your dog.
Take a chance. Win a playful plush guide dog decked out in a beautifully handmade leather harness created by Hava. The silly black Lab is poised to pounce, and measures 24-inches from nose to tail. Get your tickets and support Guide Dog Users, Inc. today!
More Bad Days Than Good? We all want to ensure that our dogs receive the best possible care and support in their final life stage. Read these tips on how to make your dog’s last days special.
Roll the dice? Not sure which app to choose when it comes to Good Maps outdoors, Apple Maps, Voice Vista, Moovit, and OKO? Listen to The Lighthouse for the Blind’s webinar on essential technology for blind travelers and find out what works best for you.
Myth busters. Listen to Hadley’s audio podcast to hear about experiences with guide dogs and some common misperceptions about them.

Advocacy Matters

This section features news on access and legislative issues.

It’s almost graduation time! Whether you’re a soon-to-be-graduate, or one of the many who will be attending someone’s big event, just remember there are laws that protect your right to be accompanied by your guide dog in educational institutions.
Wonder what to do about uncontrolled pet dogs in stores and other public venues? Here are some tips for dealing with these negative encounters.
The results are in. Findings from the Guide Dogs for the Blind rideshare survey revealed more than 83 percent of their graduates had been denied access by rideshare drivers, with many stating they had been denied multiple times. Find the full survey results here.
More bad news. Rideshare denials are happening worldwide. Guide Dogs Australia conducted research to identify instances of unfair treatment or discrimination. As revealed in the survey, overall, 70% of guide dog handlers experienced challenges in public places and of those experiencing issues, 46% reported rideshare denials and 34% reported cancelled rides.

Communication Tips from the Experts

This section offers tips from the guide dog schools about successfully communicating with your guide dog.

Consistency is Key

This month our friends at Guide Dogs for the Blind remind us all that consistency is crucial in communicating clearly with a dog. Dogs do not understand inconsistent rules or expectations. After experiencing initial confusion or frustration, dogs can actually become indifferent or anxious towards someone handling them inconsistently. For instance, allowing a dog to jump up on you when you have on old clothes means to the dog that it is always okay to jump up on you . . . even when you are in your best clothes. Dogs do not understand that a certain behavior is okay only “some of the time”. A random reprimand would not be fair, and unreliable signals from you may result in your dog “tuning you out”.

Tips & Tricks

This section features an array of best practices from seasoned guide dog handlers.

Dog hair hints. When away from home, groom your dog in the hotel bathroom where the excess hair can be easily wiped up with a few facial tissues. Using a dry Swiffer cloth from home works even better. Just keep the cloth tucked inside a resealable plastic sandwich bag and store with your grooming tools when not in use.
Stinky dog breath? Spread a bit of doggie toothpaste with a dab of coconut oil over the grooves and soft bristles of a lick mat to “brush” your dog’s tongue. Getting rid of the bacteria can help to freshen up your dog’s breath.
Mobility babble. When going about with another guide dog team, it can help if the handler in the lead “talks to” or praises the guide dog a little louder and a little more often to provide audible cues for the team that is following.

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.

Zwig by West Paw Design

Chew, catch or carry! Built for moderate chewers, the West Paw Zwig toy stick is a favorite with many of the Guiding Eyes pups being raised here in Maine. The Zwig’s twisty, hollow squishy feel makes it perfect for fetch and water play. It measures 13.75-inches in length. Non-toxic & dishwasher safe (top rack). Made with zero-waste in Bozeman, Montana. Available in jungle green, eggplant purple, and melon orange. $19.00.

PTGDU Recipe of the Month

This section features a favorite recipe from the guide dog community.

The Seeing Eye

Jen’s Brownie Trifle

Sure to satisfy even the most extreme chocoholics!

Ingredients

1 regular-size box of favorite brownie mix

1 (32 oz.) pkg. heavy cream

1/4 cup powdered sugar

1 (5.1 oz.) box chocolate instant pudding mix

1/2 cup water

1 (14 oz.) can sweetened condensed milk

Cocoa powder and mini chocolate morsels for garnish

Instructions

Prepare brownies according to package. Cool and cut into 2-inch squares.
In a mixing bowl, beat heavy cream and powdered sugar on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form. Set aside.
In a separate bowl, whisk together pudding mix, water and condensed milk until well-blended. Fold 1/3 of the whipped cream into pudding mixture.
To assemble trifle, layer half of the brownies, then half of the pudding mixture, and then half of the whipped cream in a trifle bowl or large glass bowl. Repeat same layers with remaining ingredients. Top with a dusting of cocoa powder and mini chocolate chips, if desired. Cover and refrigerate for at least 8 hours before serving.

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 visually impaired 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.

April 2024

Community Connect

This section features PTGDU community updates.

We’re in the news! Many thanks to MaineBiz.com, a leading source of news for Maine business owners and decision makers, for publishing an extensive piece about the access challenges faced by businesses and people accompanied by legitimate service animals and for highlighting PTGDU’s new service animal flyer. Read Maine businesses may be barking up the wrong tree when dealing with service animals. The Portland Press Herald also shared information about our new service animal flyer for businesses. A big shout out to PTGDU member Bonnie Mosen for writing an excellent press release about our flyer.
Preparing for the future of autonomous technology. At PTGDU’s upcoming annual spring meeting, Nicholas Giudice, PhD., Professor of Spatial Informatics at the University of Maine, and founder & Chief Research Scientist of the Virtual Environments and Multimodal Interaction Laboratory, will be discussing his team’s extensive research on making fully autonomous vehicles accessible for use by blind and low vision passengers. He will also discuss other autonomous systems and the importance of getting input and guidance from blind users in the development of these technologies. The presentation will take place on Wednesday, May 1st at 6:30 PM ET via Zoom. Everyone is welcome. For the Zoom info, please send us a message.
New in Our Personal Stories. Read this powerfully moving account of one man’s struggle to adjust to gradual vision loss. With raw honesty and genuineness, PTGDU member Steve Lambert openly shares his tumultuous path to acceptance, reconciliation, and growth.
A salute to guide dogs everywhere! International Guide Dog Day is celebrated on the last Wednesday in April each year. It marks the April 26, 1989 establishment of what is now called the International Guide Dog Federation. International Guide Dog Day is an opportunity to celebrate the work of guide dogs around the world and raise awareness of the importance of guide dog services to help people who are blind or have low vision to live life on their own terms.
Do it yourself! Owned and operated by Shelby Regan, a former Guide Dog Mobility Instructor, Pawsitive Chance professional dog training services offers virtual, fully customizable lessons for training your own guide dog. Visit PawsitiveChance.com for more information.
Free Service Animal Eye Exams. The American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ACVO) is offering free eye screenings in the month of May to service animals throughout the U.S. and Canada. For Maine residents, options include a participating Veterinary Ophthalmologist in Portland and one in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. You must register for your May exam from April 1 through April 30th.

Advocacy Matters

This section features news on access and legislative issues.

Breaking down barriers. Several PTGDU members who travel by air, for work or recreation, have been negatively impacted by the inaccessibility and complexity of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s service animal form that many airlines currently require. Read PTGDU’s comment supporting the National Federation of the Blind’s petition to restore meaningful access to air travel for those of us who fly with guide dogs. You can also read the NFB petition and submit your own comment.
On the job. Want to know more about guide dogs in the workplace? Check out the Job Accommodation Networks publication, Accommodation and Compliance: Service Animals.
Going on a business trip? Vacation? According to question 29 on the Department of Justice’s Frequently Asked Questions About Service Animals and the ADA, hotel guests are not allowed to leave their service animals in their hotel room when they leave the hotel. The dog must be under the handler’s control at all times. Question 11 covers why hotels cannot assign designated rooms for guests with service animals, and Question 12 explains when hotels can charge a cleaning fee.

Tips & Tricks

This section features an array of best practices from seasoned guide dog handlers.

Thinking outside the box. Looking for something a bit more stylish than wearing the same old standard treat bag from one day to the next? Try attaching your treat pouch to a purse or pack. Or you can get creative and explore non-traditional solutions like using the outer pocket of a crossbody slung over your right hip, stashing treats in a lululemon unisex belt bag, or wearing a wrist band with a zipper pocket.
Tired of wrestling with doggie waste bags when out picking up after your dog? Before heading out, simply open the bag up while you have two hands free and tuck it away for later use. If you want to prepare a bunch of opened bags in advance, a cute little tote bag hung on the back doorknob, or on a hook in a nearby closet makes a convenient storage space. The tote can also be used to store the dog’s leash or a relieving belt.
Human medications can poison your dog. Consider Keeping your medications and vitamins safely tucked away in a bureau drawer where they cannot be accidently knocked onto the floor by humans or cats. When ready to take your meds, hold the bottle over an open drawer when removing pills. This helps to ensure that any dropped pills will fall into the drawer, and not on the floor for your dog to consume.

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.

Lymeez 3D Mesh Leg Gaiters

Stop ticks in their tracks with Lymeez leg gaiters! Recommended by one of our members who lives in the Northern Maine woods, these mesh gaiters are about 12-inches in height and worn around the lower legs when going walking, hiking, or other places where ticks may be present. The gaiters are made with mesh and treated with permethrin, a chemical designed to kill ticks and other insects. The mesh slows ticks down, leaving them exposed to permethrin for a longer amount of time. Repellency remains effective through at least 50 warm water washings. Wash gaiters separately from other clothing. Do not dry clean. Do not re-treat with other permethrin tick repellent products. Comes in different sizes and colors. The cost per pair is $38.00.

PTGDU Recipe of the Month

This section features a favorite recipe from the guide dog community.

Easy Snickerdoodle Cookie Bars

A family favorite from one of our PTGDU members, these bars are perfectly delicious fresh or frozen.

Ingredients

2-2/3 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

2 cups packed light brown sugar

1 cup butter, softened

2 large eggs

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Topping

2 tablespoons granulated sugar

2 teaspoons cinnamon

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9 x 13-inch pan with parchment paper and coat with nonstick spray, set aside. On medium speed of mixer, cream butter and sugar for 2 minutes. Add in the eggs, vanilla, baking powder and salt, and mix for 1 minute more, scraping sides of bowl as needed. Turn the mixer to low and add in the flour, mixing until just combined. Spread batter into prepared pan. In small bowl combine the granulated sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle evenly over batter. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until edges are set and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool slightly and cut into bars.

About Us

March 2024

“Opening Doors to Independence and Opportunity”

Community Connect

This section features PTGDU community updates.

New! Educational flyer to help businesses recognize real service animals. PTGDU’s new flyer features photos of actual working dogs, and offers guidance on how to identify a legitimate service animal, what questions businesses can ask, how real service animals are expected to behave, when they can be excluded, and more. Photos shown in the flyer were provided courtesy of K9s For Warriors and The Seeing Eye Inc. For an accessible version of the flyer, please send us a message.
Save the date. At our annual spring meeting, PTGDU member Nicholas Giudice, PhD., Professor of Spatial Informatics at the University of Maine, and founder & Chief Research Scientist of the Virtual Environments and Multimodal Interaction Laboratory, will be discussing his team’s extensive research on making fully autonomous vehicles accessible for use by blind and low vision passengers. The event will take place on May 1^st at 6:30 PM ET via Zoom.
It all falls into place. Read about PTGDU member Sue Martin’s adventures with former Seeing Eye dog Beverly as the team successfully navigates an unfamiliar area while away on a business trip. Sue’s story and more can be found on the Our Personal Stories page of our website.
Here, but not for long! Winter’s starting to wind down and with spring in sight, lots more pet owners will be out and about with their furry friends. Help us spread the word about keeping pet dogs a safe distance away from guide dog teams.
Calling all chefs! ACB Maine is hosting a Pampered Chef fundraiser that you won’t want to miss! Check out the new spring line of products just released and place your order by Sunday, March 24, 2024.
Shed those excess pounds. The most recent statistics classify the majority of dogs in the U.S. — 56% — as overweight or obese. Evidence shows that just being 10% overweight decreases a dog’s lifespan by a third and predisposes it to many undesirable health consequences. Find out more about maintaining your dog’s healthy weight.

Advocacy Matters

This section features news on access and legislative issues.

Problems at the security checkpoint? If your screening experience at the airport doesn’t meet your expectations, request immediate on-site assistance from a TSA supervisor or go to this o nline form to file a formal complaint.
It’s the law! Check out The Seeing Eye’s free app for iOS and Android. The app provides information about U.S. and Canadian laws for guide dog teams.
Rideshare round up. Here are three presentations about the challenges guide dog handlers often face when attempting to get a ride from Uber or Lyft, and the work that’s being done to improve the situation:

A Conversation with Uber

Untangling Transportation – The Promise and Pain of Rideshare

And most recently,

Rideshare Access Barriers.

Tips & Tricks

This section features an array of best practices from seasoned guide dog handlers.

Planning a visit to museums, galleries or other tourist attractions? Call in advance to see what resources are available for visitors who are blind or low vision. Googling the destination to learn all you can about the places you intend to visit can also enrich your experience.
Tired of rideshare drivers dropping you off at the wrong house, workplace, or other frequent destination? Consider showing drivers a photo of your preferred drop-off point to make it easier for them to find. Following along with your GPS can also help.
High and dry? Many airports have free bottle refilling stations after you go through security so bring along a few empty water bottles and fill up! This makes it easier to stay hydrated on the plane and after landing, you’ll have plenty of water to share with your dog.

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.

S melly Proof Reusable Zip Top Bags

Super durable, resealable, reusable, washable, BPA-free, and puncture resistant. These odor-proof bags seal in even the smelliest dog treats and food leaving the contents in your luggage, backpack, or purse free from unpleasant odors. The bags are made from extra-strength food-grade materials and may be washed, air dried, and reused multiple times. Available in a variety of sizes. Sandwich bags measure 6.5 inches by 7.5 inches. A package of ten is $12.00.

PTGDU Recipe of the Month

This section features a favorite recipe from the guide dog community.

The Seeing Eye

Irish Soda Bread

In celebration of Saint Patrick’s Day, Seeing Eye students and staff enjoy sampling this treasured family recipe. Makes an ideal side for corned beef and cabbage.

Ingredients

3-3/4 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking powder

2 tablespoons caraway seeds (optional)

1/4 cup shortening

1 cup raisins or currants

1-1/2 cups buttermilk

1 large egg

1 teaspoon baking soda

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease 9-inch round cake pan and set aside. In a large mixing bowl, sift together flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder. Add caraway seeds, if desired. On low speed, beat in shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in raisins.

In separate bowl, whisk buttermilk, egg and baking soda until combined. Add to flour mixture and beat on low speed until dough comes away from sides of bowl to form a soft ball (sprinkle with additional flour if needed). Shape dough into a round loaf, about 8 inches in diameter. Place in prepared pan, keeping dough away from edges of pan. Using a sharp knife, cut an X (about 1/2-inch deep) on the top of the loaf and brush top with buttermilk.

Bake until golden brown and bottom of loaf sounds hollow when tapped, about 40 to 50 minutes. (Internal temperature should be about 190 to 200°F.) Remove from pan and serve warm.

About Us

February 2024

“Opening Doors to Independence and Opportunity”

Community Connect

This section features PTGDU community updates.

What’s up? Find out at our next PTGDU board meeting on Wednesday, February 7th at 6:30 PM via Zoom. For more information and the Zoom link, just send us a message.
Looking for a career in Maine? See how Maine’s Orientation & Mobility Specialists excel at pursuing their professional aspirations and nurturing the blindness community, all while savoring the easy lifestyle and breathtaking views that Maine has to offer.
History in the making. TV star Aria Mia Loberti’s black Lab guide dog, Ingrid, made history at the Golden Globe awards ceremony as the first guide dog ever to stroll along the famous red carpet. All the Light We Cannot See, a popular Netflix mini-series starring the legally blind actress, was nominated for a Golden Globe award last month. The show, based on Anthony Doerr’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, tells the story of Marie-Laure, a blind French girl who escapes Nazi-occupied Paris during World War II. Visit the audiovault.net to download an audio-described, audio only version of the show. Or read the book from the National Library Service.
Wanna go for a ride? Many dogs jump at the chance to go for a car ride, and guide dogs are no exception. As further advancements in autonomous vehicles evolve, blind people with guide dogs are already dreaming about the independence that these vehicles will provide. Imagine, no more worrying about being denied access by rideshare and taxicab drivers! Read more about Waymo, Uber, and the Ongoing Journey of Self-Driving Cars.
February is National Pet Dental Health Month. Join the Schwarzman Animal Medical Center on Thursday, February 22nd at 6PM for a discussion about common dental diseases and how to care for your pet’s teeth at home. Register here for the online presentation.
Accessible voting. A big shout out to guide dog handlers Nicholas Giudice, Pauline Lamontagne, and Lynn Merrill, as well as to Cheryl Peabody, a long-time member of PTGDU, for their part in helping Maine become one of only a few states to have a fully accessible electronic absentee ballot voting system. Read more in the February issue of The Braille Forum.

Advocacy Matters

This section features news on access and legislative issues.

Questions about renting? This guidance provides housing providers with a set of best practices for complying with the Federal Fair Housing Act when assessing requests for reasonable accommodations to keep service animals in housing.
Street smarts. Download and listen to a recent presentation by Lukas Franck, COMS, GDMI as he reviews concepts and strategies for safely making street crossings. He will discuss how to signal drivers of the intent to cross a street; what to consider when crossing at two-way and four-way stops; why it is essential to locate and push Pedestrian Call buttons; and more. Sponsored by Guide Dog Users of Kentuckiana, an affiliate of GDUI serving Kentucky and Indiana.
Emergency transportation. Generally, a guide dog is allowed to ride in an ambulance with its handler. However, if the space in the ambulance is crowded and the dog’s presence would interfere with the emergency medical staff’s ability to treat the patient, staff should make other arrangements to have the dog transported to the hospital. Read more about hospital arrangements from ADA.gov.

Odds and Ends

This section features a mishmash of best practices from seasoned guide dog handlers.

Give your Memory a boost. Set Alexa up with a monthly reminder to give your dog its heartworm and flea/tick meds. Setting the alarm time right before your dog’s breakfast helps to ensure that you’ll be home when Alexa sounds off with the reminder.
Looking for an easy way to locate the handle on the back door of an arriving vehicle? Start by listening to the sound of the car engine as it pulls up to help determine which direction the vehicle is facing. Use this sound to help guide you to the back half of the vehicle. Then reach up your fisted hand to touch the window and then slide it toward the back until you reach the door frame. Move your fist down and on to the door to find the handle.
Road salt and sand. Encouraging your dog to romp in uncontaminated snow after returning from a messy wintertime walk can help to remove harsh substances from your dog. However, trotting on wet sidewalks and roadways kicks up a lot of spray and sand so once inside, be sure to finish cleaning off the dog’s belly, legs, chest and in between its toes.
Save space. For those who feed their dogs in the bathroom, switch out the liquid hand soap for a mild dish soap that can be used for cleaning both hands and dog dishes.

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.

Darn Tough Vermont Socks

Comfort that lasts a lifetime. Guaranteed for Life, these ultra comfortable, ultra rugged Darn Tough wool socks come highly recommended by many seasoned guide dog handlers. Choose the women’s Northwoods Micro Crew Midweight Hiking sock in dark teal with blue accents and a moose/tree design on the ankle; the men’s Animal Haus crew lightweight sock in deep water blue with striped accents and a gorilla eating hot sauce design; or any of the other wide array of Darn Tough socks for unbeatable function and comfort. Available in a variety of styles, weights, and colors. $20.00 and up.

PTGDU Recipe of the Month

This section features a favorite recipe from the guide dog community.

Leader Dogs for the Blind

Chili for a Crowd

This popular Leader Dog staple is often enjoyed by Lions Club members visiting the campus.

Ingredients

10 pounds ground beef

2 cups dried minced onion

1 teaspoon celery salt

½ teaspoon red pepper

2 tablespoons sugar

¾ Cup chili powder

2 tablespoons salt

1 tablespoon pepper

1 102 oz. can (#10) diced tomatoes

1 111 oz. can (#10) chili beans

1 108 oz. can (#10) kidney beans

1 46 oz. can tomato juice

Directions

In large stock pot brown ground beef; drain. Put cooked ground beef back into pot and add remaining ingredients. Simmer for several hours on low heat, stirring often. Additional tomato juice may be added to achieve desired thickness. Yields approximately forty 8 oz. servings. Note: #10 cans are often found at big warehouse stores like Costco and Sams Club.

About Us

January 2024

“Opening Doors to Independence and Opportunity”

Community Connect

This section features PTGDU community updates.

Head into the New Year with PTGDU! Become a member, serve on one of our committees, or share your best photo to post on our Facebook page. We’d love to hear from you.
Step it up. Whether you’re new to walking or a seasoned stroller, be sure to get your dog out there trekking right along with you! Read about the positive benefits that walking has on your dog’s overall health and well-being.
Be My AI is now available to iOS and Android users. Want quick visual assistance without calling a human volunteer? Just open the Be My Eyes app, click on the Be My AI tab, and take a picture of your dog, your surroundings, or anything else you want to know more about. Be My AI will give you a detailed description of the picture, and if desired, you can chat and ask further questions with Be My AI through the app. Visit the Be My Eyes Help Center for more details about this free service.

Advocacy Matters

This section features news on access and legislative issues.

Problems at the airport? If you believe your rights under the Air Carrier Access Act are being or have been violated, ask to speak with a Complaints Resolution Official (CRO). A CRO is the airline’s expert on disability accommodation issues. Airlines are required to make one available to you, at no cost, in person at the airport or by telephone during the times they are operating.
Making a pit stop at the airport. If you request to stop at the bathroom on your way to a departing flight, the airline personnel assisting you is required to stop at the entrance to a bathroom. but that’s only if the bathroom is on the way to your destination and the stop can be made without an unreasonable delay.
Whether you use a white cane or a guide dog, the research team at Metropolitan State University of Denver is looking for your help. The team is conducting an online survey to better understand the travel experiences of blind and low vision individuals. The survey will be open until January 31^st.
Rideshare webinar. Join The Seeing Eye’s Rideshare webinar scheduled for Friday, February 2, 2024 at 2:00 PM Eastern Time. Topics will include rideshare denials and other barriers to equal access; rights and responsibilities when using rideshares; proactive steps you can take before an access issue occurs; and what you can do if it does happen. For more information, send a message to advocacy@seeingeye.org.

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.

Earth Rated Plant Based Dog Wipes

Wipe away the wintery mix of salt and sand from your dog’s paws with Earth Bath’s textured dog wipes. These thick, durable, hypoallergenic wipes contain gentle, high-quality ingredients like soothing aloe, shea butter, chamomile, and cucumber. When cleaning your dog’s paws, be sure to wipe between the toes and under the nails. Dirt, debris, and salt can become lodged in these spaces. Free of alcohol and parabens. Each wipe measures 8 by 8 inches. Not flushable. Available in unscented or lavender. Pack of 100 for $10.00.

Guide Dog School Updates

This section offers brief updates about guide dog schools in the United States.

Let’s celebrate! January 29th marks the 95th anniversary of The Seeing Eye, the pioneers of the guide dog movement in North America. Listen to co-founder Morris Frank as he describes his newly found freedom.
New president and CEO at Leader Dogs. Welcome to Melissa Weisse, an industry-respected nonprofit executive with over 20 years of experience in fundraising and senior management. Weisse commenced her new leadership role on December 12, 2023.

PTGDU Recipe of the Month

This section features a favorite recipe from the guide dog community.

Guiding Eyes for the Blind

Greek Yogurt Coffee Cake

The dense, buttery taste of this old-fashioned cinnamon coffee cake makes it a favorite at Guiding Eyes for the blind.

Ingredients

1/2 cup (1 stick) salted butter, room temperature

1 cup granulated sugar

2 large eggs, room temperature

1 cup whole plain Greek yogurt, room temperature

1 teaspoon baking soda

2 cups all-purpose flour

1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)

Filling:

1/4 cup dark brown sugar, packed

1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Topping:

1/4 cup dark brown sugar, packed

1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

3 tablespoons butter, cold

1 scant tablespoon all-purpose flour

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 9-inch-square or round pan. Line bottom with parchment paper and set aside. In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar together until fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Add egg and mix until incorporated. In separate bowls, mix baking soda in with yogurt; and then whisk baking powder and salt in with the flour. Alternate adding half of yogurt to batter, followed by half of dry ingredients, mixing well after each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, then repeat with remaining yogurt and flour until just incorporated. Mix in extracts. For filling, in a small bowl, whisk together sugar and cinnamon. Spread half of the batter into prepared cake pan and sprinkle with filling mixture. For topping, mix together sugar, cinnamon and flour. Chop or grate cold butter into mixture, then using clean hands or pastry blender / knife, combine until mixture is crumbly. Pour remaining batter over filling and sprinkle with topping mixture. Bake for about 35 to 40 minutes or until top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Place pan on a wire rack to cool. Run a knife around the edge to release, then remove from pan and cool completely. Cake will keep, covered in an airtight container, for up to 3 days.