Pine Tree Guide Dog Users (PTGDU)

“Opening Doors to Independence and Opportunity”

 

October 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.

  • Join the pack! Become a new member of Pine Tree Guide Dog Users now and receive three free months! Dues paid after October 1st of this year will provide membership in PTGDU through December 31st 2026. Sign up today!
  • Want to learn how to speak dog? Join PTGDU for a special presentation about communicating with your canine at our annual Fall Membership Meeting. The event will be held via Zoom on Wednesday, November 5th at 6:30 PM EST, followed by a brief business meeting. Send us a message for meeting details.
  • Blindness awareness. Maine’s Governor, Janet T. Mills, has proclaimed October 2025 as Blindness Awareness Month, calling upon all residents to join in celebrating the value and contributions of blind and low vision Mainers, and to work together towards a more inclusive and equitable society. Read the proclamation in its entirety on the Governor’s website.
  • Now available! Tune into the American Council of the Blind’s digital media library to listen to the 2025 conference and convention events related to guide dogs. You’ll find informative presentations about emergency preparedness, updates from the guide dog schools, in-flight safety tips, and much more.
  • Zoomies zone. Discover what triggers the joyful frenzy that leads to happy zoomies when dogs are reunited with their owners. You can get the science behind it all in a recent article in Popular Science.
  • Let’s talk books! Professional dog trainer and Whole Dog Journal training editor, Pat Miller, will be the featured author at the next Guide Dog Book Club meeting on October 15 at 7 PM ET. She’ll be discussing her first dog training book, The Power of Positive Dog Training. Originally released in 2001, the book has been on Amazon’s “Best Selling Dog Training Books” list since 2002. Drop the club a message for meeting details.
  • It’s playtime! From find the toy to fetch the Kong, play is an essential part of your dog’s life. Take a look at these key tips from the Guide Dog Foundation to ensure playtime is safe, enriching, and appropriate for your guide dog.
  • Connecting communities. Leader Dogs for the Blind recently hosted a Collaboration Event spotlighting Guide Dog Users of Canada and Guide Dog Users Inc. Listen to the recorded session  for more about these two consumer organizations.
  • Get the facts. Find out how canine bloat happens, which dogs are most at risk, and what you can do to help prevent it. Learn more about understanding and preventing canine bloat from the experts at the American Animal Hospital Association.

 

Advocacy Matters

This section features news on access and legislative issues.

  • Pedestrian perils. A recent article in the Guide Dogs for the Blind alumni newsletter highlights the dangers of distracted walking and offers practical tips to stay safe while using technology on the go.
  • One step forward. Last month, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a lawsuit seeking a court order to force Uber to stop discriminating against individuals with disabilities, to modify its policies to comply with the ADA, and to properly train its staff and drivers. We extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who played a role in the DOJ’s case against Uber.
  • Keep those complaints coming. The DOJ is encouraging guide dog handlers to continue reporting rideshare discrimination by Uber, especially if you have not done so before, as this will aid the DOJ with a more accurate head count for their lawsuit.
  • Complaints, comments, and compliments. The Department of Transportation’s Office of Aviation Consumer Protection (OACP) is looking for your feedback concerning your air travel experience when using or attempting to use an airline’s or travel agency’s services. Visit the OACP website to learn more or access the online form.
  • Traveling across state lines. Need help accessing paratransit services while you’re away? To get started, contact the Paratransit provider in your destination city and request their fax number. Share this number with your local Paratransit office and ask them to forward your registration details to the destination provider. Visit the Department of Transportation’s website for more details.

 

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.

Milk-Bone Spooky Halloween Dog Treats

Add a little fright to your furry friend’s night! Treat your pup to a hauntingly wholesome snack with Milk-Bone Spooky Biscuits. Packed in a festive 24-ounce pail, these crunchy bites come in four different shapes including a green monster with a stitched forehead, an orange jack-o’-lantern pumpkin, a beige ghost with a surprised face, and an eerie brown bat. With a texture that helps clean teeth and freshen breath, these ghoulishly good treats are packed with twelve essential vitamins and minerals. Made in the USA. $7.00.

 

PTGDU Recipe of the Month

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

The Seeing Eye

Autumn Chicken Salad

Get ready to elevate your next meal with this mouthwatering chicken salad, a fall favorite bursting with a medley of flavors.

Ingredients

2 (12.5oz) cans of chicken, drained

1/4 cup finely minced red onion

1/2 cup apple, peeled and chopped into small pieces

1/4 cup walnuts or pecans, chopped

3/4 cup sweet potato, peeled and chopped into small pieces

1/4 cup dried cranberries

Dressing

1/4 cup mayonnaise

2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt

1 tablespoon honey

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400° F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper and add chopped sweet potato.  Bake for 30-35 minutes until browned and fork tender.  Set aside. In a small bowl, whisk together all dressing ingredients until smooth and creamy. Set aside. In a large mixing bowl, combine chicken, onion, apple, nuts, sweet potato, and dried cranberries. Pour the dressing over the chicken mixture and gently stir until everything is evenly coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Serve on a bed of greens or as sandwich filling.

 

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.