#Service Animals

Working animals to receive free eye exams in annual event

Working animals to receive free eye exams in annual event

March 24, 2025

Board-certified diplomates of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ACVO) are set to volunteer to conduct ‘sight-saving’ screening eye exams to service and working animals worldwide.
Free screening eye exams to benefit working and service dogs

Free screening eye exams to benefit working and service dogs

April 16, 2024

Approximately 8,000 complimentary eye exams are provided in this annual program across the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico each year.
18,000-dog milestone achieved by service animal group

18,000-dog milestone achieved by service animal group

December 22, 2022

A two-year-old Labrador retriever named Hugh is the 18,000th dog to be paired with a human through The Seeing Eye.
UF Small Animal Hospital to provide free eye and heart screening to service animals

UF Small Animal Hospital to provide free eye and heart screening to service animals

March 27, 2019

Service animals near the University of Florida's (UF's) Small Animal Hospital will be able to receive free eye and heart screenings, come May 3. Sponsored by the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ACVO) and StokesRx National Service Animal Eye Exam, the event will only provide free exams on active working animals that have been certified by or enrolled in a formal service animal training program/organization. "Healthy eyes and vision are critical for a service animal to be able to perform to the best of its ability," says Caryn Plummer, DVM, who will perform the eye examinations. "Regular screening may help detect problems early, which are potentially sight- or comfort-threatening, so intervention may be possible." UF veterinary cardiology faculty members will do the heart screening exams. Should veterinarians decide further examination is required, the owners will be able to make a secondary appointment at the event. To participate in the event, service animal owners can register on the website from April 1 to April 30. They must also call UF Small Animal Hospital at (352) 392-2235 to schedule an appointment. (Ask for Holly Kitchen or Katherine Devine of the ophthalmology service.)
Service animals to receive free emergency care during government shutdown

Service animals to receive free emergency care during government shutdown

January 23, 2019

Service animals impacted by the ongoing government shutdown can now receive free emergency veterinary care.
ACVO screens 7,600 service animals during free eye exam event

ACVO screens 7,600 service animals during free eye exam event

June 29, 2018

More than 7,600 service and working animals received free eye exam screenings between May 1 and 31 as part of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists' (ACVO) 11th annual ACVO/StokesRx National Service Animal Eye Exam Event. The screenings were voluntarily conducted by 305 board-certified ophthalmologists across the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico, and Spain and administered to guide, disability assistance, detection, military, search and rescue, and registered therapy animals. "Every year, we continue to see this event expand to additional clinics around the world and reach more service animals," said Stacee Daniel, executive director of ACVO. "It is an honor to work with such passionate and dedicated ophthalmologists and to be able to assist these hard-working service animals and their handlers for the past decade. The costs for both the service animals and their care can be very high, so to be able to obtain such an important screening examination at no cost can make a huge difference for many of the program's recipients." Access to regular screenings is invaluable for service animals, as the examinations can detect the early warning signs of conditions that may lead to sight impairment. Mark Carnes, of Colorado, has regularly participated in the event …
Nearly 7,500 service animals received free eye exams in May

Nearly 7,500 service animals received free eye exams in May

July 31, 2017

Nearly 7,500 service animals received free eye exams this past May as part of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists’ (ACVO) annual National Service Animal Eye Exam Event.
Free eye exams for service animals returns for its 10<sup>th</sup> year

Free eye exams for service animals returns for its 10th year

March 10, 2017

Now in its 10th year, the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ACVO) and Stokes Pharmacy of Laurel, N.J. will once again offer free eye exams to service animals. The National Service Animal Eye Exam Event will take place in May, but registration will be held April 1 to 30, 2017.
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