Free eye exams offered to service animals in May

Throughout May, the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists will host is fifth annual ACVO/Merial National Service Dog Eye Exam Event for dogs who serve as guides, handicapped assistance, detection, search-and-rescue and other animals who dedicate their lives to serving the public.

To qualify, animals must be “active working animals” that were certified by a formal training program or organization or currently enrolled in a formal training program.

More than 200 board certified veterinary ophthalmologists throughout the U.S., as well as Canada and Puerto Rico, are estimated to provide free sight-saving eye exams to thousands of eligible animals. Since the program launched in 2008, more than 10,500 service animals have been examined, including horses.

During the complete ocular exam, the veterinary specialists look for problems including: redness, squinting, cloudy corneas, retinal disease, early cataracts and other serious abnormalities.

Early detection and treatment are vital to these working animals.

“Our hope is that by checking their vision, we will be able to help a large number of service animals better assist their human friends,” says Stacee Daniel, executive director of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists.

Owners/agents for the animal(s) must first register the animal via an online registration form at ACVOeyeexam.org.

Registration ends Monday, April 30.