Pine Tree Guide Dog Users (PTGDU)

“Opening Doors to Independence and Opportunity” 

September 2025 Monthly News Update

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.

  • Near, far, or wherever you are. Come join us for our virtual fall membership meeting on November 5th at 6:30 PM (EDT). Watch for more details in our next update.
  • Listen, hear that clink, clink noise? It’s the sound of bottles being recycled and money coming to PTGDU! Through CLYNK.com, consumers who return bags of bottles and cans to local Hannaford grocery stores in Maine and New York, or to Stop & Shop stores in Connecticut can now donate funds directly to Pine Tree Guide Dog Users from their CLYNK accounts.  Just login and look for Pine Tree Guide Dog Users on the donate page or visit CLYNK’s FAQ page for more details about the CLYNK to Give program or to learn how to start a new CLYNK account.
  • It’s National Guide Dog Month! Hats off to the extraordinary work of guide dogs, and to the guide dog school staff, puppy raisers, volunteers, and donors who help to make it all possible.
  • Virtual mix and mingle. Talk about tips, tricks, & tales with Seeing Eye Senior instructor Chris Mattoon on Saturday, September 13th at 5:00 PM EDT. This special event will be hosted by Guide Dog Users, Inc. Reach out to their membership committee chair for the Zoom details.
  • Kids corner. Looking for some educational and fun activities for the kiddos? Guide Dogs for the Blind has a PDF file available for download that contains several puzzles, games, and a coloring page that will appeal to kids of all ages.
  • Just a Man & His Dog. Recorded in 1947 by Red Foley and the Cumberland Valley Boys, this old-time country song about a man and his Seeing Eye dog is both entertaining and indicative of people’s ongoing misconceptions about guide dogs and street crossings.
  • All eyes and ears. Learn about the conditions that can lead to vision loss in dogs, as well as how to recognize the signs and the potential treatment options in this educational video with a board-certified ophthalmologist from the Animal Medical Center.
  • Unexpected vet expenses? Maine guide dog handlers may apply to PTGDU’s Mary T. & Curtis D. Lovill Trust Fund for financial assistance of up to $2,500 for emergency veterinary care for their working guide dogs. You can find the policy & application on our website. Applicants are not required to be members of PTGDU.

 

Advocacy Matters

This section features news on access and legislative issues.

  • Independent travel. Listen to the Perkins Library recording of Lukas Franck, Guide Dog Mobility Instructor, certified O&M specialist, and 40-year veteran instructor at the Seeing Eye, as he shares strategies for independent travel in today’s changing environment. Use passcode 1UVeyN!% to access The recording which will be available through the end of November.
  • 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.
  • Understanding your rights in the workplace. The Northeast ADA Center will be hosting a broad overview of ADA Title I, which covers employment rights and responsibilities on September 9th at 1:00 PM (EDT). Register here for this free session.
  • Going home. Check out this letter about returning home with your new guide dog from the Guiding Eyes for the Blind Graduate Center, located in the Information for the Public section. The letter offers helpful guidance for family and friends who are unsure how to help make your homecoming a success.
  • Around the world. Planning an international trip with your guide dog? The Assistance Dogs International website offers a list of public access laws for a variety of countries.

 

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.

Wobble Wag Giggle Ball

Madness in motion! This crazy, fun Wobble Wag Giggle Ball is an interactive toy designed to engage your dog’s natural curiosity and instinct to play. The bright green ball’s funny sounds are designed to mimic human laughter and joy. Features three tubes inside the ball that produce sounds when the ball is in motion and ridges are spread around the ball’s surface for easy grabbing and carrying. Made of flexible and durable phthalate-free vinyl. Measures 5-inches in diameter. Not suitable for aggressive chewers. No batteries required.  $15.00.

 

PTGDU Recipe of the Month

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

Guide Dogs for the Blind

Jamaican Jerk Pork Kebabs

Enjoy perfectly grilled Pork Kebabs or try this flavorful marinade with chicken or tofu.

Ingredients

3 lbs. boneless pork chops or loin cut into 1-inch cubes

1/4 cup red wine vinegar

1/2 cup fresh lime juice

4 green onions, chopped

3 cloves garlic, chopped

1/2 habanero pepper seeded and chopped

1-1-inch piece of ginger peeled and grated

1 tablespoon ground allspice

1 tablespoon ground thyme

1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

1 1/2 teaspoons packed brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1/2teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons soy sauce

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1/2 cup olive oil

Instructions

Place the pork cubes in a bowl and set aside.

In a blender, combine all other ingredients and puree until smooth.

Mix well with the pork cubes and refrigerate for up to two days, stirring occasionally.

Preheat grill an hour before grilling.

Divide pork cubes evenly between wood or metal skewers. Discard marinade.

Grill kebabs until meat is cooked to an internal temperature of 170°F, turning so kebabs cook evenly.

 

About Us

This monthly news update is a publication of Pine Tree Guide Dog Users (PTGDU), an independent, nonprofit membership organization serving blind and low vision residents of Maine and beyond. Founded in 1997, PTGDU works to promote the equality and inclusion of guide dog teams in all aspects of life. Visit us on the web or follow us on Facebook.