News
Calling All Tampa Bay Service Dogs
ACVO/Merial National Service Dog Eye Exam brings together
veterinary ophthalmologists and thousands of service dogs for free exams
May 3-9
LARGO, FL (April 6, 2009) – Guide dogs, handicapped assistance dogs, detection dogs and search and rescue dogs selflessly serve the public with no compensation. The week of May 3-9, 2009, Thomas R. Miller, DVM, MS, DACVO of Tampa Bay Veterinary Specialists & Emergency Care Center and a member of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists® (ACVO®), is participating in the ACVO®/Merial® National Service Dog Eye Exam Day sponsored by Merial, Hill’s Pet Nutrition, OPTIGEN, and Kong Veterinary Products to help serve these dogs who dedicate their lives to serving us. Dr. Miller is one of more than 150 board certified veterinary ophthalmologists across the U.S. and Canada who will provide free sight-saving eye exams to thousands of service dogs nationwide.
To qualify, dogs must be “working dogs” certified through a formal training program or organization. The mission of the National Service Dog Eye Exam is to preserve the sight and health of these animals whose partners depend upon them.
“Many of ACVO’s ophthalmologists generously provide similar services to their service dog clients throughout the year,” says Stacee Daniel, executive director of the organization. “Our hope is that by checking these animals’ vision on the national day of service, we will be able to help a large number of dogs better assist their human friends.”
How to Register
Dogs must be active “working dogs” that were certified by a formal training program or organization or currently enrolled in a formal training program to qualify. The certifying organization could be national, regional or local in nature. Specific service groups are listed on the website. Owners/agents for the dog(s) will register the animal via an online registration form beginning April 1. Once registered, the owner/agent can call Tampa Bay Veterinary Specialists & Emergency Care Center to schedule an appointment.
To learn more about and register for ACVO®/Merial® National Service Dog Eye Exam, please visit www.ACVOeyeexam.org.
