Pine Tree Guide Dog Users PTGDU

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Pine Tree Guide Dog Users PTGDU

Mission & Membership
PTGDU is a philanthropic organization whose mission is to promote complete acceptance of guide dog teams in all aspects of life.

Opening Doors to Independence and Opportunity
Pine tree Guide Dog Users (PTGDU) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership organization serving blind and low vision residents of Maine and beyond who are partnered with specially trained guide dogs. In pursuit of this mission, PTGDU members engage in a wide variety of opportunities and activities that take place year-round throughout the state. The majorit

y of PTGDU members are current and former guide dog handlers. They may be students, teachers, attorneys, homemakers, state employees, entrepreneurs, volunteers, or retirees. But no matter their backgrounds, they all share a culture of acceptance, inclusion, peer support, diversity, equality, respect, and direct action. History
In 1997, the founders of PTGDU requested and received affiliate status in Guide Dog Users, Inc., a nationwide nonprofit organization that strives to promote civil rights and enhance the quality of life for working guide dog teams. During its formation, key funding was received from The American Council of the Blind of Maine and other generous supporters. Later in 2017, PTGDU was incorporated as an independent nonprofit organization in the state of Maine and received federal 501(c)(3) designation.

04/29/2026

Today is International Guide Dog Day! A day to recognize the extraordinary partnership between guide dogs and their handlers—the trust, independence, and quiet teamwork that makes navigating the world possible in ways many people never see. It’s a partnership like no other, and we’re deeply grateful to our dogs, and to all those who help make it happen. Happy International Guide Dog Day to all!

Photo Description: Close-up of a human hand gently holding the paw of a black Lab guide dog. The dog’s paw is extended and resting across the palm of the woman’s hand. A light-colored wooden surface with a subtle grain pattern is visible in the background.

04/22/2026

We're rooting for independent travel, no matter how you go about it! 👏

04/16/2026

Guide dogs aren’t always on duty!

Photo Description: Close-up of two off-duty light-colored Labrador retriever guide dogs playing on a blue rug. One dog is standing over the other, who is lying on its back. The standing dog is gently biting the ear of the lying dog, while the dog on the floor looks relaxed and is happily biting the leg of the standing dog.

04/01/2026

News alert! Get the latest tips and tricks from seasoned guide dog handlers and so much more in the latest issue of the Pine Tree Guide Dog Users
Monthly News Update. https://pinetreeguidedogusers.org/monthly-news-updates/
Photo Description: PTGDU member Angi sitting with a yellow Lab Golden cross Leader dog. The dog is resting at her feet while looking directly at the camera. Angi is smiling and wearing a black skirt with a shawl and her hospital volunteer badge.

03/25/2026

Do dogs know they’re dogs? 🐶🤔
Sniff out the answer on the Brains On! Science Podcast for Kids, where canine cognition expert Alexandra Horowitz helps unravel this paws-itively puzzling question!

You’ll also dig into fun topics like:

Do dogs dream? 💭
Do they have their own “languages”? 🐾
And so much more!
Give it a listen and let your curiosity run wild:
https://omny.fm/shows/brains-on-science-podcast-for-kids/do-dogs-know-that-theyre-dogs

Photo Description: An off-duty guide dog with a shiny black coat laying outdoors with harness and wearing a natural crown of moss and leaves. A partial view of a person wearing blue is visible .

03/19/2026

In a busy store aisle, it’s easy to rely on a quick glance or eye contact to signal “can I get by?”—but if someone is blind, those silent cues don’t work. In these moments, people often turn to a sighted companion instead, hoping they’ll step in or pass along the message. Even when it’s unintentional, this can leave the blind person feeling left out of an interaction that directly involves them.

A simple shift makes a big difference: just speak directly to the blind person. Saying something like, “Excuse me, can I get by on your left?” is clear, respectful, and gives the person the chance to respond for themselves—no eye contact needed.

Small changes like this help support independence and make everyday moments—like navigating a store aisle—more inclusive for everyone.

Curious to learn more about who we are and what we do? Visit Pine Tree Guide Dog Users:
http://www.PineTreeGuideDogUsers.org

Photo Description: A black Lab guide dog looking up at the camera while standing in the aisle of a store. Near the dog, the handler’s light brown boots and jeans are visible.

03/05/2026

That’s No Ordinary Pup . . . and Your Pet Dog Knows It! Pet dogs read the world primarily through body language — and guide dogs don’t always look or move like typical dogs. Those differences can feel confusing or even threatening to another dog, especially in close quarters. Explore our Pet Owner’s Guide to learn how to support safe, respectful interactions when your dog encounters a working guide dog team. Read the complete guide here: https://pinetreeguidedogusers.org/pet-owners-guide/

Photo Description: A woman sitting with her golden retriever guide dog at an outdoor café. A young man with a large black dog is seated a safe distance away on a bench.

03/04/2026

The sky’s the limit! we’ve got lots to share in PTGDU’s Monthly News Update for March! Check it out at https://pinetreeguidedogusers.org/monthly-news-updates/

Photo Description: A sable German Shepherd guide dog puppy’s head resting on the floor just beneath the armrest of an airline seat. Passengers' lower legs and feet, and glimpses of fur and paw from two other puppies are visible in the seats further ahead.

02/23/2026

It’s not just you! Every day, well-meaning people pet, talk to, or distract our guide dogs while they’re working. While it may seem harmless, repeated interactions like this can weaken a dog’s training and make it harder for them to stay focused and do their job safely. Please help set our dogs up for success—when you see a guide dog in harness, ignore the dog and direct your attention to the handler instead. Thank you!

Photo Description: A black Lab Leader Dog jauntily guiding his handler across a parking lot near the wharf in Portland, Maine’s waterfront community. The man is wearing a brown jacket, black gloves, sunglasses, a dark flat cap and colorful plaid scarf wrapped around his neck. Several boats, buildings, and various maritime structures including pilings along the Four River Estuary are visible.

02/18/2026

Myth: Saying “Guess who?” or “Do you know who this is?” is a fun and playful way to greet a friend or acquaintance who is blind.

Fact: Most people — sighted or blind — can’t recognize a voice from just a few words. It’s like answering the phone without caller ID and being asked to “guess who.” It creates unnecessary pressure and shifts focus away from the conversation.

A blind person doesn’t have visual cues to help identify you, so if you don’t say your name, they may be forced to guess, ask, or pretend to know. None of those feel natural. A simple “Hi, it’s Sadie” removes the awkwardness, keeps the interaction smooth, and shows respect. 😀😀

Photo Description: Two career-change German Shepherd guide dogs lying on a blue bench in an outdoor park setting. The bench has colorful heart decorations painted on the backrest. One dog is mostly tan with black fur, and the other is mostly black with some tan markings. The bench sits on a concrete slab with some scattered leaves. On the slab, looking closely are the words kindness rocks made out of different colored stones.

02/12/2026

Winter paw protection. Road salt, de-icers, and ice are hazards to your dog’s feet. Guide Dogs for the Blind recommends checking your dog’s paws and pads every day for cuts, cracks, blisters, and bleeding. Trimming the fur on the bottom of the paws helps prevent the snow and ice from accumulating, which can be painful for your dog. Paw balms such as Musher’s Secret Paw Wax can be used daily to keep paws moisturized and healthy. They also provide a barrier to salt and ice when applied before your dog goes outside.

If traveling, baby wipes are a great way to wipe the salt and other de-icing products off of paws. Once home, you can wipe your dog’s feet, legs, and belly with a damp towel to remove these irritating (and toxic) products.

Booties make the winter so much better. There are many great options out there (e.g. Ruffwear and Paws Disposable Booties). Make sure they are comfortable, flexible, and not too tight. Wearing a boot liner or a baby sock can provide extra warmth, absorb moisture, and prevent chaffing. A great way to deal with winter walks is to use Musher’s Secret Paw Wax combined with lightweight protective booties such as Pawz Disposable Booties.

Photo description: A woman and her yellow Lab Golden Cross guide dog walk along a snow-covered road on a sunny day. The dog is wearing Ruffwear booties and a bright blue snowsuit while the woman is bundled up in a long, dark-colored down coat, colorful mittens, and a black scarf. Snowbanks line the path, and bare trees and a white house are visible in the background.

Alt text: A Lab golden cross dog in black boots guiding her partner along a snowy country road.

02/02/2026

“Sharing my life with my guide dogs is all inclusive. It doesn’t begin when the harness goes on and it doesn’t end when the harness comes off.” Read about PTGDU member Sue Martin’s cross-country skiing adventures with her Seeing Eye dog and more in our February Monthly News Update at

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

Photo Description: PTGDU member Sue Martin with her German Shepherd Seeing Eye dog Kasey on a snowy trail in Northern Michigan. Sue is crouching down, gently cupping her dog’s muzzle in her hands while Kasey happily gazes into Sue’s face.

Address

P. O. Box 6157
Falmouth, ME
04105

Website

http://PineTreeGuideDogUsers.org/

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