April 23, 2009

Purdue veterinarians to offer free eye checkups for service dogs

To qualify for a checkup, dogs must be certified by a formal training program or organization as a service dog, which includes guide dogs, handicap assistance dogs, detection dogs, and search and rescue dogs.

Eye exams will be scheduled on a first-come basis, with a limited number of appointments available.

Dog owners need to register online at https://www.ACVOeyeexam.org. Once registered, the owner can call the Purdue Veterinary Teaching Hospital at 765-494-1107 to schedule an appointment.

The exams are being provided through a national program organized by the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ACVO), with support from the following animal health and nutrition companies: Merial, Hill's Pet Nutrition, OPTIGEN and Kong Veterinary Products. The board-certified ophthalmologists in the School of Veterinary Medicine are members of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists.

Writer: Soumitro Sen, 765-496-9711, ssen@purdue.edu

Source: Kevin Doerr, 765-494-8216, doerrkr@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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