2014 ACVO Service Animal Eye Exam contest winner, Brenda (left) and Buffy

The American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ACVO) is gearing up for the 8th Annual ACVO/StokesRx National Service Animal Eye Exam Event. Registration opens April 1 and runs through April 30. Eye exams occur in May.

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

Once registered online, the owner/agent will receive a registration number and will be given access to a list of participating ophthalmologists in their area. They may then contact a specialist to schedule an appointment in May.

Once examined, the ophthalmologist will provide a copy of the exam results to the client who can provide it to their veterinarians. From there, veterinarians can determine in-house treatments and/or note when a referral may be needed for expanded treatment. 

The goal of the ACVO/StokesRx National Service Animal Eye Exam Event is to provide as many free screening exams in May as possible to eligible Service Animals across the U.S. and Canada. Service animals including: guide, handicapped assistance, detection, military, search and rescue, and certified-current, and registered therapy animals that serve the public.

To qualify, service animals must be “active working animals” certified by a formal training program or organization, or currently enrolled in one. The certifying organization can be national, regional or local in nature.

This year, more than 250 veterinary ophthalmologists from the United States and Canada will be participating. Over 30,000 service animals have been helped since the program’s inception in 2008.

Photo courtesy of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists