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K-State Today

April 7, 2016

Veterinary Health Center provides sight-saving eye exams for service dogs

Submitted by Kristin Loving

Ashes from Salina Fire Department receives an eye exam from ophthalmologist, Dr. Amy Rankin.

Guide dogs, handicap assistance dogs, detection dogs, and search and rescue dogs selflessly serve the public. To honor these animals and their work, the Kansas State University Veterinary Health Center is participating in the ninth annual American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists/StokesRx National Service Animal Eye Exam Event to screen service animals that dedicate their lives to serving the public.

The Veterinary Health Center will offer eye exams Tuesday, May 3, in Mosier Hall for service animals. Owners/agents can register the animal at ACVOeyeexam.org. Registration ends April 30 and must be completed before making an appointment at the center.

During the complete ocular exam, board-certified ophthalmologist Jessica Meekins, assistant professor of ophthalmology, will look for problems including redness, squinting, cloudy corneas, retinal disease, early cataracts and other serious abnormalities. Early detection and treatment are vital to these working animals.

"Our goal is to screen active working animals for eye diseases that could impair the ability to perform their job, and in doing so help them better serve their human owners and handlers," Meekins said.

The Veterinary Health Center has set up the Service Dog Eye Exam Fund to provide these exams at no cost to the owner. To qualify, animals must be active working animals certified by a formal training program or organization or currently enrolled in a formal training program. The certifying organization could be national, regional or local in nature.

Read more information about American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists/StokesRx National Service Animal Eye Exam events online.