Pine Tree Guide Dog Users PTGDU

10/09/2025

Shepherd shenanigans! Four Seeing Eye dogs, one rogue terrier, and a 10-month old German shepherd Seeing Eye puppy reigning as CEO of chaos.

Photo Description: Six dogs in a fenced-in area with grass, fallen leaves, and a stone path. In the foreground, a 10-month old German Shepherd puppy is playfully nipping at an off-duty yellow Lab’s face, while a smaller black dog is between them. In the background, three other Seeing Eye dogs are running towards the scene from a wooded area including an off-duty yellow Lab golden cross, a career-change black poodle, and a retired black Lab. To the right, black outdoor chairs arranged around a fire pit on a stone patio.

10/03/2025

October is here! And so is our Monthly News Update, packed with fall happenings, helpful resources, and an Autumn Chicken Salad recipe from The Seeing Eye. Take a peek at https://pinetreeguidedogusers.org/monthly-news-updates/

Photo Description: Two Seeing Eye puppies wearing their green training vests are sitting on a gravel surface in front of a display of orange pumpkins. The pup on the left is a light-colored Lab and the one on the right is a German Shepherd with a dark face and ears. Behind the pumpkins, a metal fence and some greenery and trees are visible in the background.

09/22/2025

Cheers to the U.S. Department of Justice!🙌 For far too long, blind passengers have endured unacceptable treatment by Uber and other rideshare companies—facing long waits, missed commitments, and being left behind simply because they’re traveling with a guide dog.

This recent step toward our is welcome news.

The Justice Department filed a lawsuit against Uber Technologies Inc. for discriminating against passengers with disabilities, including those who use service animals and mobility devices such as stowable wheelchairs. Uber is the largest provider of ride-hailing services in the United States. The la...

09/10/2025

Back to school? Check out our professionally-designed Guide Dogs in Action educational series. Includes a free lesson plan, worksheet, coloring page, poster, handout, and supplemental info. Download from https://pinetreeguidedogusers.org/guide-dogs-in-action-educational-series/

Photo Description: PTGDU’s new coloring page showing a simple line drawing of a man wearing a cowboy hat being guided by his German shepherd down a country road. A two-story home, trees, and cloudy sky are visible in the background.

09/03/2025

News flash! The September issue of our monthly news update is now available at

https://pinetreeguidedogusers.org/monthly-news-updates/

Photo description: Artwork of a yellow lab in harness, standing broadside in the foreground, with his head to the left, alertly looking at the viewer. In the background, a green silhouette of the state of Maine is visible and the words Pine Tree Guide Dog Users arches over the top. Directly below the design is the braille version of Pine Tree Guide Dog Users.

08/26/2025

Look who’s on the move in Michigan! PTGDU member Sue and her German shepherd Seeing Eye dog Kasey stride confidently along a path through a forest of tall trees in the Whaleback Natural Area in the Leelanau Conservancy. The trail winds up a mountain and affords spectacular views of Lake Michigan in the distance. The perspective seems to be through retired Seeing Eye dog, Quan’s, point of view as the back of his head with pricked ears is visible in the foreground. The video shows Sue approaching the camera as she smiles and praises her dog.

08/25/2025

Let's all welcome Clifford, one of Maine's newest Guiding Eyes pups in training!

Surf’s up!!

12-week-old sweet yellow boy Clifford visits Schoodic Point, a remote peninsula on Maine's coast and the only mainland section of Acadia National Park. This brave boy sits on the rocky coast, next to his raiser Sherry, as a big wave crashes onshore shooting its white spray skyward. It’s a spectacular sight!

08/12/2025

Be an advocate for the guide dog community! Visit PTGDU’s Educational Corner to download helpful information to hand out to your local businesses, healthcare providers, rideshare drivers, and family members or close friends at https://pinetreeguidedogusers.org/educational-corner/

Photo Description: A young woman with long dark hair being guided down the sidewalk near an apartment complex by her Lab/Golden Retriever cross from Guide Dogs for the Blind. The team is walking directly towards the viewer.

08/04/2025

Read all about it! The August issue of our monthly news update is now available. Includes a recipe for frozen banana dog treats, advocacy tips, guide dog community updates, and more! https://pinetreeguidedogusers.org/monthly-news-updates/

Photo Description: A yellow Lab Guiding Eyes pup wearing a black collar with gray fish is sitting on a large block of stone. Ahead, a border collie is lying on a similar stone. In the background, a person is playing bagpipes near a path lined with trees and bushes. There are parked vehicles and several buildings in the distance.

08/01/2025

Take off! Today marks the launch of the Office of Aviation Consumer Protection's new Aviation Complaint, Enforcement, and Reporting System (ACERS). The new system will make it easier to file air travel service complaints, comments, and compliments. You can find the new consumer portal at https://airconsumer.dot.gov/consumer.

Photo Description: Seeing Eye German shepherd puppy Morty sitting looking out from the cockpit of an airplane. His tongue is out and it looks like he is smiling. Numerous controls and displays are visible in the background.

07/31/2025

Discover how to minimize your dog’s exposure to poor air quality or wildfire smoke from the experts at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine.

When there is an alert for poor air quality, such as from wildfire smoke, the pollution concentrations and particulate matter in the air can reach hazardous levels that are unhealthy for the general population, including our pets.

07/23/2025

Blindness isn’t just about losing sight; it’s about discovering a world where other senses are more meaningful. For instance, consider a trip to the airport...

HEARING: 👂

The sound of luggage rolling across a metal plate for a few seconds indicates the entrance to a nearby escalator.

TOUCH: 🖐

The feel of an escalator handrail as it starts to level out signals the appropriate time to begin exiting the moving stairway.

SMELL: 👃🏽

The distinct smell of sanitizing agents wafting across the airport corridor reveals the nearby location of public restrooms.

Photo Description: Close-up of the head and face of Seeing Eye German shepherd Morty resting his head on his handler’s leg in an airplane seat. His ears are perked up and his handler is wearing jeans and a blue jacket. In the background, the back of an airplane seat is visible, featuring a fold down tray and a sign relating to onboard services.