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News from the College of Veterinary Medicine University of Illinois 3225 Vet. Med. Basic Sciences Bldg. 2001 S. Lincoln Ave. Urbana, IL 61802 |
April 10, 2009 Release on |
| Contact: |
Chris Beuoy 217/244-1562 beuoy@illinois.edu |
Local Service Dogs Eligible for Free Eye Exam at University of Illinois Veterinary Clinic
URBANA - Veterinary ophthalmologists--eye specialists--at the University of Illinois will devote one day in May to free eye screening exams as part of the National Service Dog Eye Exam event, an effort organized through the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ACVO) to provide free potentially sight-saving exams and preventive health reports to thousands of dogs across the country.To participate, dogs must be active "working dogs"--including: guide dogs, handicapped assistance dogs, detection dogs, and search and rescue dogs--that were certified by a formal training program or organization. This event seeks to help serve these dogs who dedicate their lives to serving us.
Dog owners must register via the ACVO Web site - www.ACVOeyeexam.org - to qualify for a free eye examination at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital. The deadline for registration is April 29.
The ACVO is a veterinary specialty organization devoted to advancing the quality of veterinary medicine through certification of veterinarians who demonstrate excellence as specialists in veterinary ophthalmology. More than 150 board certified veterinary ophthalmologists in the U.S. and Canada will provide free sight-saving eye exams to thousands of service dogs.
Corporate sponsors of the event include Merial, Hill's Pet Nutrition, OPTIGEN, and Kong Veterinary Products.
At the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital more than 80 veterinarians provide care to more than 15,000 animal patients every year. More information about the hospital is available at vetmed.illinois.edu/vth/.
Watch an interview with Illinois veterinary ophthalmologist Dr. Ralph Hamor.