Qualifying Service Animals include Guide, Detection, Military, and Search & Rescue throughout the U.S. and Several Other Countries
Garden City, Idaho. To Nancy Moore, “Giza” was no ordinary black lab. Trained at Guide Dogs for the Blind, Giza served as Nancy’s sense of vision and navigation. When she guided Nancy off a sidewalk, Nancy knew that Giza needed to be examined by a veterinary ophthalmologist. As someone on a fixed income, Nancy was concerned about expenses, then she learned of the ACVO®/StokesRx National Service Eye Exam. She registered in April and Giza received a free screening in May by an ACVO board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist – providing her with the information to care for Giza.
The 10th Annual ACVO/StokesRx National Service Animal Eye Exam Event takes place in veterinary clinics from May 1-31, 2017. When ACVO recognized that many of its ophthalmology specialists were already providing free eye exams. Expanding these services and creating an annual event has enabled them to perform more than 52,000 free screenings – 7,400 in 2016 alone.
“Nancy and Giza’s story showcases just how important healthy eyesight is to Service Animals and their owners,” said Stacee Daniel, Executive Director of ACVO. “These animals selflessly serve the public. In 2017 we will celebrate our amazing partners with the 10th anniversary of this event, and we are truly grateful that so many Service Animals have been seen and helped by our veterinary ophthalmologists.”
Dr. Carrie Breaux, Veterinary Ophthalmologist, has participated in the ACVO/StokesRx National Service Animal Eye Exam Event every year during her time at WestVet.
In Idaho, these exams are performed by Carrie Breaux, DVM, MVSc, DACVO, and Amber Labelle, DVM, MS, DACVO. More than 125 dogs have received free screening services through this event in the past 5 years.
This May the ACVO/StokesRx National Service Animal Eye Exam Event seeks to provide as many free screening exams as possible to eligible Service Animals across the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. For the first time, other international members have been invited to participate. Service Animals that may qualify include guide, disability assistance, detection, military, search and rescue, and also certified-current, registered therapy animals. This year’s event is sponsored by ACVO® and Stokes Pharmacy, as well as several generous industry sponsors. Participating ophthalmologists volunteer their services, staff, and facilities.
Registering for the 2017event. To qualify, Service Animals must be “active working animals” certified by a formal training program or organization, or currently enrolled in a formal training program; certifying organizations may be national, regional or local. More qualification details are available. Owners/agents must FIRST register online, beginning April 1. at www.ACVOeyeexam.org.
Once registered, the owner/agent will receive a registration number and access to participating ophthalmologists. Then, they may schedule an appointment. Times vary depending on the facility and are filled on a first come, first-served basis. Registration ends April 30.
About WestVet. WestVet is Idaho’s only privately held, small animal emergency and specialty center. Located at the corner of Chinden and 50th in Garden City, the animal hospital remains one of the largest and most progressive in the Northwest. Our ophthalmology team is dedicated to providing the finest in veterinary ophthalmology services to clients, pets and referring family veterinarians. Specialists serve as an extension of your family vet’s practice by providing the highest level of ocular health care.
About the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists.® The American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists® (ACVO®) is an approved veterinary specialty organization of the American Board of Veterinary Specialties and is recognized by the American Veterinary Medical Association. Its mission is “to advance the quality of veterinary medicine through certification of veterinarians who demonstrate excellence as specialists in veterinary ophthalmology.” To become board certified, a candidate must successfully complete a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree, a one-year internship, a three-year ACVO® approved residency and pass a series of credentials and examinations. For more information, please visit ww.ACVO.org.
About Stokes Pharmacy. Stokes Pharmacy is a national, full-service compounding pharmacy specializing in the art and science of the custom formulation of prescription medicines for humans and animals. Leading the way in innovation, Stokes invites veterinarians to prescribe compounded medications online securely, quickly, and accurately via iFill, a cloud-based prescription management system. For more information, visit stokesrx.com.
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