Hometown Rankin - April & May 2016

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.
He 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 the
circumstances, 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 come to Jackson,
Mississippi for training if the applicant and
the dog can be best served, in that manner.
For more on placement, see the website.
Leader in Education for the Blind
Continues Life’s Work
Rankin County is home to one of
Mississippi’s most respected educators,
Mrs. Gayera Trabont. Known to many as
‘Mrs. T,’ she served as the principal of the
Mississippi School for the Blind from 1970
until her retirement in 1998.
Over the decades of her formal career,
Mrs. T worked tirelessly, educating
Mississippi’s blind children and advocating
for blind people, everywhere. In many ways,
she continues to serve the needs of blind
people and promote their independence and
full participation in society and our economy.
Her chief outlet of service to blind
people and her commitment to their
independence, is through volunteering
at Gallant Hearts as one of their ‘puppy
raisers:’ Puppy Raisers are a pillar of the
Gallant Hearts’ model. Puppy Raisers
raise a puppy from approximately eight
weeks to approximately 18 months. All
food, veterinarian care, etc., are provided
by Gallant Hearts.
Mrs. T has known Gallant Hearts’
Founder and Executive Director, Becky
Floyd, since the mid-1960s. Becky has been
blind, since birth. She has worked with
guide dogs, since 1964.
Ways You Can Participate
Be a Puppy Raiser (like Mrs. T!) – 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. 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
Mississippi. 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, veterinary care,
medicine, legal, finance, and media.
In addition to direct contribution,
Gallant Hearts makes it easy for all to have a
hand in independence for the blind by
donating through GoFundMe.com. The
current Gallant Hearts GoFundMe goal is
$12,500 dollars. This money is specifically
for the initial raising of four (4) puppies.
Gallant Hearts is one of a handful of
training centers in the country, and the only
one in Mississippi. 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.
Hometown Rankin • 33