REACH offers free eye exams to service and working animals

Press release from REACH Veterinary Specialists:

Asheville, NC (April 2, 2019) – REACH Veterinary Specialists to provide WNC 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 WNC 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.

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 Dr. Stephanie C. Bell DVM, DACVO at REACH Veterinary Specialists has been proud to participate in this philanthropic event since May of 2015.

This year’s event is sponsored by ACVO^® and Stokes Pharmacy, as well as several generous industry sponsors.  Dr. Stephanie C. Bell and staff at REACH Veterinary Specialists and other 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. 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. REACH Veterinary Specialists 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.