In May, participating veterinary opthalmologists will be offering free vision testing for service dogs, including law enforcement K-9s, as part of the 8th Annual ACVO/StokesRX National Service Animal Eye Exam Event.

Participating doctors from the American College of Veterinary Opthalmologists (ACVO) will conduct the screenings. The program is sponsored by Stokes Pharmacy, as well as several generous industry sponsors, volunteer ophthalmologists, and their staffs. Participating doctors volunteer their services, staffs, and facilities.

To qualify, service animals must be “active working animals” that were certified by a formal training program or organization or are currently enrolled in a formal training program. The certifying organization can be national, regional, or local.

K-9 handlers must first register the animal via an online registration form beginning April 1 at www.ACVOeyeexam.org. Registration ends April 30.

Once registered online, the handler will receive a registration number and will be allowed access to a list of participating ophthalmologists in their area. Then, the handler may contact a specialist to schedule a May appointment. Appointment times are filled on a first-come, first-served basis, so handlers should try to register and make appointments early. Handlers should, of course, follow agency policy on K-9 health care.

The goal of the ACVO/StokesRx National Service Animal Eye Exam Event is to provide as many free screening exams as possible to eligible service animals across the U.S. and Canada throughout the month of May.