Texas Disability History Collection

Howard Batis, 25, blind since he was 13 years old, and his seeing eye dog, "Flash." Flash, a gray German Shepherd, and Batis are on their first "workout" after arriving from Morristown, New Jersey. This comprised of spending ten days together, until she (Flash) gets used to the new surroundings. The Seeing Eye dog, trained at the Seeing Eye Institute to work with Batis, will make it possible for him to walk without a human guide. The dog is trained to protect her master from traffic hazards, as well as any emergency conditions. Batis spent a month at the institute making friends with Flash and learning to follow her directions. The trip was made possible for Batis by the Forth Worth Lions Club, which financed his trip to and from the institute. Batis is seated on a wooden porch in front of a light colored clapboard house with dark windows, wearing a striped button-down shirt and dark pants. To his left is his guide dog in a harness. Published in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram morning edition, November 16, 1941.