"Throughout my life, during reflective moments, I have yearned to be able to give back to the universe in some way something positive. Doing the things that we do, for all the right reasons, without ego and coming from the pure, honest place within us can only result in harmony and positive energy. Having patience and listening to that silent voice inside opens up a different way of communicating with feelings. Valiant has given me a mirror image of what I have given him. God willing, together we can give back to all those horses and people who have given to us in our own special way." Valiant & JS

The Valiant Trust, Inc. is a not for profit corporation registered in the State of Florida. It is established to acknowledge and encourage the natural bond that exists between horse and man. This is a bond forged in love and nurtured in trust and mutual respect.

The Trust is dedicated to further the research and development of equine and human related medicine and to promote the understanding of the intrinsic equine/human relationship through educational, medical and humanitarian projects and endeavors such as:

Valiant Equine Ophthalmology Research & Development Center

"The Valiant Trust is about the animal-human bond. It is about understanding and compassion. Some people understand this powerful bond while others have never experienced its power. The human-animal bond gives Valiant confidence, hope and trust in his visually deprived world. The Valiant Trust believes that this bond can bring a strong positive message to our often technologically driven lifestyles."
Dr. Dennis Brooks*
The members of the Valiant Trust are dedicated to saving sight in horses and promoting the inherent link between horses and people. Horses are a vision-oriented species in which good visual capabilities and the ability to run are critical to their lifestyle.
The horse eye becomes inflamed easily and often needs considerable help to speed healing. The scientific goals of the Valiant Trust are to produce data that explains the basic physiology and pathology of the horse eye, and to develop new treatment strategies to treat the complex eye problems of horses.
Humans and other animal species have similar eye diseases to the horse. We cannot extrapolate treatments from human or dog eye disease for horses, as the horse eye problems are much more extreme and destructive. The horse eye exhibits the worst case scenario of eye disease. Research of horse eye diseases sponsored by the Valiant Trust will benefit horses, other animal species and perhaps even humans.

*Dennis E. Brooks DVM, PhD, is a 1980 graduate of the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. He completed his residency in Comparative Ophthalmology at the University of Florida from 1981-1984 and passed the certifying examination of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists in 1984. Dr Brooks was an assistant professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine from 1985-1990. His PhD from the University of Florida College of Medicine concerned optic nerve axonal and microvascular studies of Beagle dogs with hereditary glaucoma and was completed in 1987. Dr Brooks returned as an associate professor of Ophthalmology and Ophthalmology Service Chief to the University of Florida in 1990. He has lectured extensively, nationally and internationally, in comparative ophthalmology and glaucoma, and has over 85 refereed publications. Dr Brooks was promoted to Professor of Ophthalmology in 1998, has received numerous teaching and research awards, and is a recognized authority on infectious keratitis, corneal transplantation and glaucoma of horses and other animals. Dr Brooks was the President of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists from 1997-1998. His book, Equine Ophthalmology, was published in 2002.

Valiant World Vision Center (TBA)

Valiant Guiding Eyes

Liaison and support to blind organizations for those projects related to the training of companion guide dogs. These incredible guardians give visually challenged individuals not only a safe and productive life but nurture their owners spiritually and emotionally as well. From selecting, training and placing these dogs to actually see them work and take care of their new best friend and owner is the goal of this mission.

Valiant Therapeutic Riding Center

Linda McLendon - Full Circle Therapeutic Riding Center
She is a member of the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association, American Hippotherapy Association, Equine Facilitated Mental Health Association, and American Riding Instructors Association. She holds level II Hunt seat certification with the American Riding Instructors Certification Program which named her its 1998 Instructor of the Year.

Embracing her special children as a whole, treating their mind, body and spirit as one is the essence of Linda’s magic. She focuses on liberation rather than limitation. From traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, stroke, cerebralpalsy, mental retardation, emotional disturbances, impaired vision or hearing, learning disabilities, Down’s syndrome to spinabifida is her everyday challenge. Linda’s remarkable rapport combined with the interaction of the horse manifests the benefits in improved balance and coordination, increased strength and range of motion, improved circulation and posture, increased attention span and self-esteem, and better language skills for her kids. The movement of the horse stimulates sensory and motor reaction, vestibular, tactile, proprioceptive and ocular input.

All of her life Linda had a dream. That dream was to work with horses and challenged youngsters. As the universe works, ten years ago on June 16, l993 Linda was asked by a horse owning friend if she could help a special 3 year old autistic child named Brandon sit atop their gentle Appaloosa gelding named Black Willie Moon. "Willie" was eventually given to Linda and became her first therapeutic horse and he still does his job at the age of 30.
After ten years, Brandon still comes to Linda weekly for therapy. The rest is history.

The remarkable achievement is Linda drives her foundation with solely herself plus several volunteers caring for approximately 50 special children on a regular annual basis. Linda has worked with over 400 kids over the past ten years. She has a few small grants, and funds, the rest from donations and fund raising. Linda received the American Riders Instructors Certification Program – Instructor of the Year Award in 1998.

Valiant Equine Communication Network

Understanding the psychology, natural behavioral patterns, needs and individual tendencies of our equine friends are vital to good communication and no misunderstandings. Gifted individuals in the horse communication and training field such as John Lyons have a wealth of information to share. They are our communication translators, teaching us how to listen. Their lifelong study of horses has raised the level of equine understanding and interaction immensely. To promote communication and education through horsemanship seminars, demonstrations and clinics is a main goal of this foundation. Education through demonstration is invaluable.

Valiant Human Communication Network

Extension of hope, inspiration and courage to special individuals who reach out whether it be cancer patients, disabled or those who need mental support will be provided through Equine Assisted Psychotherapy. This is a new emerging field focused on using horses as a tool for emotional growth and learning. The extraordinary powerful influence of horses plus the skills of the therapist determine the impact on a person’s life. Again, our relationship with our equine partners is a reflection of our own life and a way to discover ourselves on many levels.

Valiant Scholarship Fund

This fund is designed to support those individuals currently helping those that need help. Supporting these key people by furthering their education through seminars, conferences and projects is imperative to their continuing personal growth.

Valiant Special Projects

"Special Projects" related to saving and or relocating someof our equine friends who need help will be addressed. Those unwanted horses in turn will support and educate some of our human friends who need help as well. Placing discarded racehorses under supervised care at juvenile retention centers has proven successful for the horses who say thank you in a very special way by reclaiming people’s lives.