Purdue vet school to provide free eye exams for service dogs
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - During the month of May, the Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine will offer free eye exams for certified service dogs.
The eye examinations, which will be conducted at the Purdue Veterinary Teaching Hospital, are part of a third annual American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists initiative. Jean Stiles, a Purdue professor of veterinary ophthalmology, said early detection of eye problems, such as cataracts and retinal degeneration, is critical to successful treatment strategies.
"Small things that would be noticed by an ophthalmologist in an exam would likely not be noticed by a dog's owner or handler but could become a problem in the future. The prime example would be cataracts," Stiles said. "We're proud to be associated with an effort that could help preserve the vision and quality of life of working dogs because they provide such a vital service to their owners and handlers."
To qualify for the free exam, dogs must be certified, active working dogs or currently enrolled in a formal training program. Types of working dogs that would be eligible include guide dogs, handicapped assistance dogs, and dogs used by police and fire departments for detection and search and rescue.
In order to schedule an exam, the owner or handler must first register online at http://www.ACVOeyeexam.org through April 30. Once registered, the appointment can be scheduled by locating the Purdue Veterinary Teaching Hospital on the list of participating ophthalmologists. The available exam slots will be filled on a first-come basis.
Stiles said staff at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital will provide a complete eye exam, which should take 30-45 minutes.
The Purdue Veterinary Teaching Hospital, established in 1959, provides services to both large and small animals and is the only veterinary teaching hospital in the state of Indiana. The facility serves as a primary referral center for state veterinarians and provides services that include internal medicine, surgery and wellness care.
The American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists is an approved veterinary specialty organization of the American Board of Veterinary Specialties and is recognized by the American Veterinarian Medical Association.
Writer: Brian Zink, 765-494-2080, bzink@purdue.edu
Source: Jean Stiles, 765-494-1107