The 7th Annual ACVO®/Merial® National Service Dog Eye Exam Event brings together Veterinary Ophthalmologists and thousands of service animals for free eye exams

Garden City, Idaho – Guide dogs, handicapped assistance animals, detection dogs, therapy animals, and search and rescue dogs selflessly serve the public. To honor these animals and their work, the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ACVO) is pleased to announce the May 2013 as the 6th annual ACVO/Merial National Service Dog Eye Exam Event, offering free screening for service animals who dedicate their lives to serving the public. Since the program launched in 2008, nearly 16,000 service animals have been examined. Carrie Breaux, DVM, MVSc, Board Certified Veterinary Ophthalmologist is offering free exams at WestVet.

Dr. Breaux is volunteering her time to see clients throughout the month. To watch an exam and/or interview a service dog owner or Dr. Breaux, please contact WestVet.

WHAT VETERINARY OPHTHALMOLOGISTS LOOK FOR DURING THE EXAM: During the complete ocular exam, the veterinary ophthalmologists utilize their specialized equipment to 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 early and often, 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.

ABOUT THE ACVO. The American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists® 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.” The event is primarily sponsored by ACVO and Merial. Other non-profit supporters include the American Veterinary Medical Association, most state veterinary medical associations in the U.S. and Canada, American Society of Veterinary Medical Association Executives, and other national service animal organizations.

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