More than 1,500 service dogs receive free eye examinations

Dr. Cory B. Mosunic of Katonah Bedford Veterinary Center, Bedford Hills, N.Y., examines Pele during the National Service Dog Eye Exam Day event.(Courtesy of Katonah Bedford Veterinary Center)

Dr. Robert L. Peiffer Jr. of the Center for Animal Referral and Emergency Services, Langhorne, Pa., takes a look at Eagle while his owner watches.(Courtesy of Center for Animal Referral and Emergency Services)

The American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists and Merial teamed up again this year to put on the National Service Dog Eye Exam Day during the first week of May. The event brought together more than 150 board-certified veterinary ophthalmologists across the United States and Canada to provide free sight-saving eye examinations to more than 1,500 dogs.

Active working dogs that were certified by a formal training program or organization or were currently enrolled in a formal training program participated in the program.

The AVMA Executive Board voted to endorse the event at its April meeting (see JAVMA, May 15, 2009, page 1232).

This was the second year for the program. Plans for next year are already under way, with next year's event likely to take place again during the first week of May. For more information, visit www.acvoeyeexam.org.