The UGA Veterinary Teaching Hospital will once again offer free eye exam screenings to service animals in May as part of the annual American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists and Stokes Pharmacy National Service Animal Eye Exam Event. The Animal Eye Care Clinic, located in Five Points, will also participate in the program.
Eligible service animals include certified guide, handicapped assistance, detection, military, search and rescue, and therapy animals. Preregistration with the ACVO is required and is open through April 30 at www.ACVOeyeexam.org. The screenings will take place during May.
During the exams, veterinary ophthalmologists will use specialized equipment and their expertise to look for problems such as cataracts, corneal problems and eyelid and retinal diseases.
To qualify for the exam, service animals must be “active working animals” certified by a formal training program or organization or currently enrolled in a formal training program. At the appointment, owners/agents must present current certification paperwork as well as a copy of the program’s confirmation email.
