Pine Tree Guide Dog Users (PTGDU)

“Opening Doors to Independence and Opportunity”

 

June 2026 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. Read the archives at www.PineTreeGuideDogUsers.org/monthly-news-updates

 

Community Connect

This section features community updates and more.

  • Top dog! We’re excited to share that Maine ranked #12 in the nation in The Seeing Eye’s very first State-by-State Service Dog Access Report Card! This new report looks at how well states protect the rights of people who use service dogs and how accessible communities are for service dog teams. A huge thank you to the advocates, businesses, organizations, and community members who help make Maine more welcoming and inclusive for everyone.
  • Mark your calendars. Join Pine Tree Guide Dog Users on October 2 from 4:30 PM-6:30 PM at Congress Square Park in Portland for an evening focused on vision loss awareness, community, and connection. Hosted by The Iris Network, this special event will feature a variety of booths where attendees can learn about vision loss, explore available resources, and connect with support services across Maine. Stop by our booth to meet guide dog handlers, learn about the guide dog lifestyle, and explore our educational resources.
  • Let’s get moving. The latest episode of the National Association of Guide Dog Users Unleashed Podcast is now available. In this episode, two guide dog handlers share their experiences, insights, and practical tips for staying active with a guide dog. Listeners may find new ideas, motivation, and encouragement for their own fitness journeys.
  • Take a chance! Iowa leather artist Hava Hegenbarth has done it again! She’s donated five adorable plush dogs, each outfitted with one of her beautiful, handcrafted leather harnesses, for the annual Guide Dog Users, Inc. drawing. Tickets are three for $5 or seven for $10. Don’t miss your chance to bring one home!
  • Make a splash. Want to learn more about keeping your dog safe around water this summer? Read Guide Dogs for the Blind’s “No Bones About It” blog post on water safety for dogs. The article covers common water hazards, signs of fatigue and overheating, and tips to help dogs stay safe while swimming or playing near pools, lakes, rivers, beaches, and sprinklers.
  • Destined for success. A University of Connecticut study found that genomic analysis of Labrador retrievers can help predict which dogs will succeed as guide dogs. The results suggest DNA data may be more accurate than traditional behavior tests, potentially improving training efficiency and reducing failure rates.
  • Best friends. Did you know dogs may show grief-like behaviors after losing a companion? While scientists can’t say for certain that pets grieve exactly as humans do, a Morris Animal Foundation-funded study discovered that many dogs experience noticeable changes in behavior after the loss of a close animal friend.
  • Letting go. Deciding when to say goodbye to your dog may be one of the hardest choices you’ll ever face. To help make this final chapter as peaceful as possible for both you and your dog, read How to Prepare for Pet Euthanasia: A Vet’s Guide to Saying Goodbye.

 

Advocacy Matters

This section features news on access and legislative issues.

  • Need help understanding your rights under the ADA? The ADA National Network connects individuals, businesses, and organizations with local ADA Centers across the country to provide guidance, resources, and support for accessibility and inclusion. With 10 regional centers serving communities nationwide, help is always close to home.
  • File a complaint. Whether you’re a service dog handler, business owner, service provider, or policy maker, The Seeing Eye Advocacy App provides instant mobile access to federal and state laws. The latest update to the app now provides users with a direct path to reporting discrimination at the Federal, State, and Provincial levels.
  • Service animal misconceptions. Service animals are not required to be certified, complete a professional training program, or wear a vest or other ID indicating they are service animals. Get the facts about service animals on the ADA.gov website.

 

Remembering Eric Loori

This section honors individuals whose lifelong dedication helped shape and strengthen the guide dog community.

The guide dog community has lost one of its most dedicated champions with the passing of Eric Loori. For more than four decades, Eric devoted his life to helping individuals who are blind and low vision achieve greater independence, confidence, and opportunity through the partnership of a guide dog.

Eric’s journey in the guide dog profession began long before he co-founded Freedom Guide Dogs for the Blind with his wife, Sharon, in 1992. Over the years, he shared his expertise and passion while working at three respected guide dog organizations: the Guide Dog Foundation, Guiding Eyes for the Blind, and Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation. Through these experiences, Eric developed the knowledge, skills, and vision that would later shape his commitment to a more personalized approach to guide dog training.

Together, Eric and Sharon founded Freedom Guide Dogs with a dedication to serving people in innovative ways. Drawing upon their years of experience, they developed the organization’s unique Hometown Training model, bringing guide dog instruction directly into the communities where clients lived and worked. This approach reflected Eric’s belief that every individual deserved training tailored to their unique needs and circumstances.

Eric was known not only for his professional expertise as a leader and Guide Dog Mobility Instructor but also for his extraordinary compassion. He saw potential where others sometimes saw limitations. He had a remarkable ability to work with individuals who faced additional disabilities alongside blindness and was often able to help people whom others believed could not successfully become guide dog handlers. His patience, creativity, and determination opened doors for countless individuals and changed lives in profound ways.

While we mourn the loss of a remarkable man, we also celebrate an extraordinary life dedicated to service. Eric’s legacy lives on in every successful guide dog partnership, every individual who gained greater independence because of his efforts, and every person inspired by his compassion and commitment.

Thank you, Eric, for your vision, your kindness, and your lifelong dedication to helping others. You will be deeply missed, forever remembered, and always honored by the community you served so faithfully. We are grateful for the countless lives you touched and the enduring example you set for all who had the privilege of knowing you.

 

Tips & Tricks

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

  • Grooming time. Keep a designated treat pouch clipped to your belt to easily collect loose fur while grooming your dog. Treat bags with a spring-frame closure work especially well since they stay open while you groom and snap closed when not in use. When you’re done, simply empty the pouch and store it with your grooming supplies.
  • Convention tip. Start the day with a quiet early morning walk around the block with your guide dog to relax before navigating the crowded hallways. A midday rest break in a quiet spot can also help your dog (and you) recharge before returning to convention activities.
  • Eye problems. Store your dog’s eye ointment in the refrigerator to make it easier to dispense. Apply a small amount on your clean finger and gently rub along the dog’s upper eyelid. (Most eye drops are also available in ointment form.)
  • Squeaky clean. When bathing your dog, dilute shampoo by adding a bit to an empty water bottle and filling the rest with water. Shake well to mix, then apply the diluted solution to your dog’s coat. Most dog shampoos are concentrated, so dilution helps it spread more evenly, reduces skin irritation risk, and makes rinsing easier.

 

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.

Coat Defense Canine Trouble Spot Drying Paste

A must-have for any dog first aid kit. Designed to help with wounds, bug bites, hot spots, and other troubled skin areas, Coat Defense’s natural spot treatment creates a protective scab-like barrier while continuously drawing and drying the area to support effective healing. Perfect to have on hand when your dog needs a little extra care. $19.00.

 

PTGDU Recipe of the Month

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

Turkey Apple Cheddar Sandwich

Leader Dogs for the Blind

Layered with thick sliced turkey, crisp apple slices, and sharp cheddar cheese, this tasty sandwich is served warm on rosemary focaccia bread, and finished with a sweet and spicy spread.

Ingredients

Rosemary Focaccia

Thick sliced deli turkey

Thin sliced red apples

Sliced cheddar cheese

Sandwich spread (recipe below)

Sandwich Spread 

¼ cup Dijon mustard

1 cup apple butter

1 tablespoon sriracha

3 tablespoons maple syrup

Instructions

Whisk together sandwich spread ingredients. Add less or more sriracha depending on the level of heat preferred.

Slice the focaccia horizontally to create a top and bottom half for one sandwich. Place on baking sheet. Liberally apply sandwich spread to both sides of the bread. On the bottom half of the bread, layer sliced turkey and sliced apples. Then top with cheddar cheese.

Close sandwich and cook in a 350-degree oven just until cheese is melted and sandwich is heated through. Serve warm and enjoy!

 

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.