ACVO/Merial National Service Dog Eye Exam Week

Category:

Other

When:

Monday, May 4, 2009 9:00 am
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Where:

Ophthalmology Department at VCA Veterinary Specialty Center

20115 44th Ave W
Lynnwood, WA 98036

How:

Official Website
Tickets

Cost:

Free

Submitted by:

Susan J.   See all of Susan J.'s events »

What/Why:

Calling All Seattle area Service Dogs - What's Your 20?

ACVO/Merial National Service Dog Eye Exam brings together veterinary ophthalmologists and thousands of service dogs for free exams May 3-9

Seattle, WA - Guide dogs, handicapped assistance dogs, detection dogs and search and rescue dogs selflessly serve the public with no compensation.  The week of May 3, VCA Veterinary Specialty Center of Seattle - Ophthalmology Department, a member of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ACVO), is participation 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. Susan Jacobi 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 thousand 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 VCA Veterinary Specialty Center of Seattle to schedule an appointment.

To learn more about and register for ACVO/Merial National Service Dog Eye Exam, please visit http://www.ACVOeyeexam....

About the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists
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."  To become board certified a candidate must complete a DVM degree, a one year internship, a three year approved residency and pass a series of credentials and examinations.  For more information, please visit http://www.ACVO.org.

The following non-profit organizations have supported the National Service Dog Eye Exam:  American Animal Hospital Association, American Veterinary Medical Association, state veterinary medical associations in the U.S. and Canada, American Society of Veterinary Medical Association Executives, Veterinary Hospital Managers Association, Veterinary Ophthalmic Technicians Society, Guiding Eyes for the Blind, American Association of Detection Dogs, North American Police Dog Association, National Narcotic Detection Dog Association, Patriot Paws Service Dogs, paws with a Cause, Department of Homeland Security and Service Dogs of America.  Additional organizational support is pending.

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