May 8, 2008 was the last day to register. Please pre-register for notification of future events.
DOES YOUR SERVICE DOG QUALIFY?

The first ACVO National Service Dog Eye Exam Day will provide a free screening eye exam to Service Dog groups including: guide dogs, handicapped assistance dogs, detection dogs, and search and rescue dogs. 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. Essentially the dogs need to have some sort of certification and/or training paperwork to prove their status as a working Service Dog to participate in this year's program.

While we would like to offer these services to all dogs who offer assistance to their owners/caretakers, this year's event will be limited to the above groups. There are limited 'slots' available to treat these animals therefore a specific group was defined. For future events a similar program may be available for other assistance dog groups.

The definition of Service Dogs to be served during this event applies only to this ACVO National Service Dog Eye Exam Day. Your veterinary ophthalmologist may offer a separate program outside of this event for Service Dogs, but you would need to speak with them separately.
 
HOW WILL THIS WORK? WHAT SHOULD BE EXPECTED?
Owners/agents for the dog will register (May 8, 2008 was the last day to register.) the animal via an online registration form. Once registered, the owner/agent can locate a participating ophthalmologist in their area. After registering, the owner/agent will contact the participating ophthalmologist to schedule an appointment with a veterinary ophthalmologist. The Pet Wellness Report will be offered complimentary through your primary care veterinarian during the month of June. (More instructions for this process included on registration page below.)
 
APPOINTMENT DATES AND TIMES...
Appointment dates and times may vary based on the availability of exams offered by each office. The ophthalmology offices may offer exams for one full day, for select times during a day, or during times of their choice throughout a week. Please identify yourself as participating in the 'ACVO Service Dog' program to ensure you will receive the complimentary exam and are booked appropriately.
 
DURING THE APPOINTMENT...

Once the owner/agent has registered the animal they are asked to respect the ophthalmologist's time and show up when scheduled for the appointment. During the examination an eye health screening will be conducted on each animal. You will be referred back to your primary care veterinarian who at your next appointment, in the month of June, would conduct a blood draw and submit for the free Pet Health Systems lifestyle assessment, a biochemical profile, and complete blood count through the Pet Wellness Report™. Neither you nor your primary care veterinarian will incur a lab fee for processing, Pet Health Systems will provide the Report and lab processing.

View a sample of this preventative health report.

The complimentary eye exam through your veterinary ophthalmologist is of a screening nature. Should more services be needed or desired, you may discuss your options with the doctor. Additional services would likely be provided at regular price and would be entirely optional. It is expected that the majority of animals will be healthy and will not be in need of additional services. But should such a need arise, your veterinary ophthalmologist is the expert that can discuss the condition, present options and best treat your animal.

Data collected on each animal will remain private and be utilized for research purposes only.
STEPS NEEDED TO GET STARTED (May 8, 2008 was the last day to register.)