6 • Jan/Feb <strong>2016</strong> Gallant Hearts Delivers Independence Jerry File
A guide dog is almost equal, in many ways, to giving a blind man sight itself. Nestled in the bucolic countryside of <strong>Madison</strong> County, only a stone’s throw from Lake Caroline, rests a peaceful, yet busy, organization called Gallant Hearts Guide Dog Center. Gallant Hearts trains professional guide dogs for people who are blind. Gallant Hearts’ premium guide dogs fan out all over Mississippi, the United States, and Canada, delivering independence, and a richer life. Gallant Hearts’ co-founder is Ms. Becky Floyd. Becky serves as executive director. Becky has been blind since birth and has worked with guide dogs since 1964. She earned bachelor degrees in psychology and sociology from The University of Mississippi and then went on to graduate from the Ole Miss School of Law. Near the end of law school, she and friends were talking one night about what they wanted to do after law school. Becky said, “Someday, I am going to start a guide dog training center.” Decades later, after a successful career, capped by her retirement as the Executive Director of Mississippi Protection and Advocacy System, Becky fulfilled her dream by starting Gallant Hearts Guide Dog Center, in 2009. Gallant Hearts placed its first dog in December, 2012. The life changing potential of the guide dog for the blind. Guide dogs for people who are blind deliver extraordinary value and benefits to the person using them and to society. Becky explains, “I have had my own guide dog, since 1964. Guide dogs are good for the productivity of the person, and for the economy. For example, along the way, my guide dogs were very important in my having and progressing in a career. To be honest, I don’t think I would have had as much self-confidence without one. For example, I don’t think I would have had the self-confidence to navigate the Ole Miss campus when I was there as an undergraduate, and in law school. I don’t think I would have had the self-confidence to move away to Jackson and get my own apartment and to go to work every day. And I certainly would not have had the social benefits that I’ve enjoyed. Because of my guide dogs, I have met hundreds of people I would not have otherwise met, and many of those people have greatly enriched my life.” Regarding safety to the blind person, Becky said, “Let me give you an example. We have a great dog we trained in service. He has saved the client’s life several times and recently did so, again. The client told me she asked her dog to guide her across a street. He did, but he did so in an erratic pattern, and though she didn’t know why, she trusted him. When she got to the other side, a man in a truck, who had observed but could do nothing as it happened, informed her there was a downed power line in the road, and that her dog had guided her though the gauntlet, as it were. In other words, she asked her partner-dog and he found a way. If her partner-guide had been unsuccessful, she would have likely been electrocuted and killed.” How does it work? Gallant Hearts places well trained, healthy dogs throughout the United States, and occasionally, Canada. The dogs are provided, free of charge, to qualified individuals who have been approved by the center’s admissions committee. The trained dog is normally delivered to the applicant and the trainer remains within the area and provides training for the new team for a period of 1 to 2 weeks. The applicant may also come to Jackson, Mississippi for training if that proves to be a more workable option. (For more on placement, see the website.) Ways you can participate. Be a Puppy Raiser –Gallant Hearts is currently placing dogs into puppy raiser homes where an in-home atmosphere provides the critical, early socialization and obedience training needed for a dog to be a guide dog. Gallant Hearts provides veterinary care, food, and obedience training classes for the puppy. The puppy remains with the host family for 12 to 18 months, and then is transitioned into Gallant Hearts’ formal training program. Puppy Raisers are people who love dogs, and who also feel the importance of helping by preparing the puppy to provide a life of independence to someone out there who otherwise would not have as much independence. Donate –Gallant Hearts is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization, established in <strong>Madison</strong>. The organization fulfills its mission through the generous gifts of individuals and organizations. People are often interested to know that the total costs of finishing and placing a Gallant Hearts Guide dog with a client is approximately $20,000. Gallant Hearts is governed by a nine-member board of directors selected for their expertise in governance, fund raising, veterinarian care, medicine, legal, finance, and media. n ______________________________________ For more information about Gallant Hearts Guide Dog Center, including raising a puppy, training, placement, and much more, please visit the organization’s website at gallanthearts.org. You may reach Becky Floyd at 601-853-6996, or by email at rfloyd@gallanthearts.org. <strong>Hometown</strong> madison • 7
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