Veterinary Vision Offering Free Eye Exams to Service Animals

Veterinary Vision to Provide Free Eye Exams to San Carlos and San Francisco
Service & Working Animals

San Carlos, CA, April, 3^rd, 2019 – Veterinary Vision, a SAGE Veterinary Centers Network Partner to provide San Carlos and San Francisco Service and Working Animals with free sight-saving eye exams this May. Each year, board certified veterinary ophthalmologists across the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico collectively provide more than 7,500 free eye exams as of The American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ACVO^®)’s ACVO/StokesRx National Service Animal Eye Exam event.

The American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists is an approved veterinary specialty organization of the American Board of Veterinary Specialties that board certifies veterinarians as ophthalmologists. The organization developed the ACVO/StokesRX National Service Animal Eye Exam event in 2008, and since its inception, nearly 68,000 Service and Working Animals have received free screening eye exams — including approximately 7,625 in 2018 during the 11^th year of the event.

In addition to the free screening eye exams provided to San Carlos and San Francisco Service and Working Animals, approximately 300 board certified veterinary ophthalmologists throughout the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico will donate their time and resources this year. In addition to dogs, if they qualify, other Service and/or Working Animals including horses, miniature horses, donkeys, alpacas and cats can receive free sight-saving exams.

“It’s super powerful and rewarding,” said Beth Rivard, Executive Director Prison Pet Partnership. “The ACVO/Stokes eye exam program saves so much in providing veterinary care so we can continue to place Service Dogs with no cost to the client while giving back to the community at the same time.”

Liam, a three-year-old yellow lab Service Dog received an eye exam through the program before being placed with Cody, a college student with cerebral palsy. The pair can be found wheeling independently around the University of Washington campus where Liam carries and retrieves books and medical supplies for his handler. Previously Liam was professionally trained and cared for by female inmates for two years through the Prison Pet Partnership, a non-profit which provides meaningful vocational training in Gig Harbor, Washington. Service Animals like Liam benefit from this event every year.

A photo of Cody and Liam, other Prison Pet Partnership participants and several Service and Working Animals that have received free eye exams as part of the event, are is available for download here.

The goal of the ACVO/StokesRx National Service Animal Eye Exam event is to provide as many free screening exams as possible to eligible Service and Working Animals. The following types of Working or Service Animals may qualify: guide, handicapped assistance, detection, military, search and rescue, and current, registered therapy animals – all whom selflessly serve the public. Veterinary Vision has been proud to participate in this philanthropic event since its inception in 2008.

This year’s event is sponsored by ACVO^® and Stokes Pharmacy, as well as several generous industry sponsors.  The doctors and staff at Veterinary Vision and participating board certified ophthalmologists volunteer their services, staff and facilities at no charge for Service and Working Animals and their owners/agents to participate in the event.

HOW TO REGISTER FOR THE 2019 EVENT:

To qualify, Service and Working Animals must be “active working animals” that have been trained through a formal training program or organization, or are currently enrolled in a formal training program. The training organization could be national, regional or local in nature. More qualification details are available here. Owners/agents for the animal(s) must FIRST register the animal via an online registration form beginning April 1 at www.ACVOeyeexam.org. Registration ends April 30. Once registered online, the owner/agent will receive a registration number and will be allowed access to a list of participating ophthalmologists. Then, they may contact a specialist to schedule an appointment, which will take place during the month of May. Veterinary Vision requires that participants meet all event qualifications, pre-register at ACVO.org then provide the assigned registration number over the phone when making an appointment.) Times may vary depending on the facility and are filled on a first-come, first-served basis, so owners/agents are encouraged to register and make appointments early.

About the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists^®

The American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists^® (ACVO^®) 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 successfully complete a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree, a one-year internship, a three-year ACVO^® approved residency and pass a series of credentials and examinations. For more information, please visit www.ACVO.org.

About Stokes Pharmacy

Stokes Pharmacy is a national, full-service compounding pharmacy specializing in the art and science of the custom formulation of prescription medicines for humans and animals. Leading the way in innovation, Stokes invites veterinarians to prescribe compounded medications online securely, quickly, and accurately via iFill, a cloud-based prescription management system. For more information, visit stokesrx.com.

About Veterinary Vision – SAGE Veterinary Centers Network Partner

Veterinary Vision is the leading veterinary ophthalmology practice in the San Francisco Bay area. Veterinary Vision operates two state-of-the-art hospitals, open Monday through Saturday, located in San Carlos and San Francisco, CA. Since opening in 1991, Veterinary Vision has treated over 55,000 patients and works with over 1,100 referring veterinarians to provide patients with exceptional eye care. For more information on Veterinary Vision, please visit https://www.veterinaryvision.com/