VCA Hollywood Animal Hospital Hosts Free Eye Exams Event for Service Animals

 

VCA Hollywood Animal Hospital (VCAHAH) in collaboration with Animal Eye Guys (AEG) of South Florida is proud to announce a one-day Free Eye Exams Event for Service Animals. This event, scheduled for Sunday, May 19, 2024, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, aims to provide valuable eye care services to qualified working dogs in South Florida.

As part of the ACVO National Service Dog Eye Exam program, VCAHAH and AEG will offer free eye exams to service animals, including BSO K9 Patrol Officers, Humane Society of Broward County Therapy Animals, Memorial Regional Hospital, Broward County Court House Canines, and more. These exams will be conducted by qualified veterinarians specializing in ophthalmology.

WHO/WHAT: 

VCA Hollywood Animal Hospital and Animal Eye Guys of South Florida to host Free Eye Exams Event for Service Animals.

WHEN: 

Sunday, May 19, 2024, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm.

WHERE: 

VCA Hollywood Animal Hospital
2864 Hollywood Boulevard
Hollywood, FL 33020
954.920.3556

HOW:  Early registration is key to providing these exams.  

This event is part of the ACVO National Service Dog Eye Exam program, which has been providing free eye exams for service animals for 15 years. The program is conducted by 250 board-certified veterinary ophthalmologists from across the United States and Canada, including Puerto Rico.

 To qualify, qualified service animals must register online April 1-30th at https://www.acvoeyeexam.org/. Once registered, call 754-732-1792 to schedule an appointment.  

Who is eligible? Any active working animal that has been certified by a formal training program or organization or are currently enrolled in a formal training program. The certifying organization could be national, regional, or local in nature.  

Examples of active working animals are guide dogs, handicapped assistance animals, detection dogs, therapy animals, emotional support animals, and search and rescue dogs. Pre-Registration is required 

 When are the exams? Exams are offered throughout the month of May and during this dedicated one-day event on May 21st at VCA Hollywood Animal Hospital. 

Pre-Registration is required. 

 How to schedule an exam? Register online- April 1- 30th at www.ACVOeyeexam.org   

Then call 754-732-1792 to set an appointment.   

 "We are thrilled to be part of the ACVO National Service Dog Eye Exam program and to provide free eye exams to our local service animals," said Dr. James Herrington, Medical Director at VCA Hollywood Animal Hospital. "This event not only ensures the health and well-being of these dedicated animals but also celebrates their invaluable contributions to our community."

Media representatives are encouraged to attend this event to capture stories and photos of our local service animal community.

About VCA Hollywood Animal Hospital: 

VCA Hollywood Animal Hospital is a leading veterinary hospital providing comprehensive medical, surgical, and dental care for pets. With a dedicated team of veterinarians and support staff, VCA Hollywood Animal Hospital is committed to promoting responsible pet ownership and providing exceptional veterinary care.

About Animal Eye Guys of South Florida: 

Animal Eye Guys of South Florida is a specialized veterinary ophthalmology practice dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of eye conditions in animals. Led by experienced veterinary ophthalmologists, Animal Eye Guys of South Florida offers advanced eye care services for pes, including service animals.

Free Eye Exams for Service Animals One Day Event!

VCA Hollywood Animal Hospital and the Veterinary Ophthalmologist group, Animal Eye Guys hosted a day of FREE Eye Exams for Pre-Registered Service Animals in our community on Sunday, May 21st.

Sponsored by the ACVO - American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists, this event was offered to support the goal of providing as many free eye exams as possible to qualified Service Animals across the U.S. and Canada throughout the month of May.

During this full-day event, we saw over 50 service animals that included individual handlers, canines from Memorial Hospital, therapy animals from the HSBC and Humane K9, BSO & Miramar canine officers, and search and rescue canines from Miami Dade and Hialeah. These are just a sample of the fantastic animals we had the pleasure to provide these sight-saving exams.

Service animals are essential workers and for us to play a part in providing these exams
aligns with the core values of VCA Hollywood Hospital and Animal Eye Guys of South Florida, who put pet health as our first priority.

This event is national in origin so while this one-day service has passed, every May these exams are available throughout the country by participating ophthalmologists every May. Registration for these exams is necessary and occurs every April.

Follow us on social to stay connected about future events.

 

Homeland Security to join Free Eye Exams for Service Animals Event this Sunday!!!

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s mission is to protect the nation's transportation systems to ensure freedom of movement for people and commerce. There vision is to provide the most effective transportation security in the most efficient way as a high performing counterterrorism organization. Through hard work, professionalism and integrity the Officers of the TSA work alongside their K9 counterparts to ensure the freedom of movement for people and commerce.

Without the keen eyes, ears and noses of these highly trained k9 officers our way of life would be dramatically effected.  

Each year, VCA Hollywood Animal Hospital (VCA HAH) and Animal Eye Guys (AEG) of South Florida are participate in the ACVO National Service Dog Eye Exam program. Now in its 9th year, the program offers free eye exams for pre-registered service and therapy animals during the month of May by more than 250 board certified veterinary ophthalmologists from around the United States (including Puerto Rico) and Canada.

Join us this Sunday from 12-2, at our FREE Eye Event for Service Animals as TSA Department of Homeland Security demonstrate the skill of their K9 partners.

Sunday, May 22nd from 10a-4p, the VCA HAH will open its doors exclusively for these exams and host pre- registered therapy animals from local individuals and community service organizations. Other groups attending the event will be Officer's from the Jimmy Ryce Center and Patrol Officers from Miramar.

 

When: Sunday, May 22nd

Where: VCA Hollywood Animal Hospital

2864 Hollywood Blvd

Hollywood, Fl 33020

Event time: 10-4pm

Demontration Schedule 12-2pm

TSA US Department of Homeland Security

Patrol Canine Officer Demonstrations

Jimmy Ryce Center K9 Search & Rescue Officers

http://www.jimmyryce.org/bloodhounds-in-the-news/

Join us!!

Free Eye Exam for Service Animals to host BSO Jimmy Ryce Center Officers!!!

Did you know that a bloodhound has 60 times the scent power of a German Shepherd?  These highly sensitive animals may be driven by their noses but there eyesight is crucial to active service.
 

This is why each year, VCA HAH and Animal Eye Guys join forces to host service animals from around our community for FREE Eye exams during the monthof May. In an effort to accommodate all of those loyal and hardworking companions, we open our doors for one day- exclusively for these exams.

 This year we are pleased to be hosting Jimmy Ryce Center (JRC) K9 Officers from the Broward Sheirff's Office. 

  Dr. Swinger will be examining these patrol dogs checking for problems including redness, squinting, cloudy corneas, retinal disease, early cataracts and other serious abnormalities. 

 

“Early detection of problems and treatment is vital to the success of these working animals," said Dr. Swinger, of Animal Eye Guys. "It is truly an honor to provide exams for animals that so selflessly provide support to their people and communities."

The Jimmy Ryce Center provides AKC bloodhounds free to law enforcement agencies to find abducted and lost children. Bloodhounds are the only dog that can follow a human trail more than a few hours old. They are the the single best bet for bringing a child, abducted by a predator, home, alive. 

Since its inception, over 600 dogs have been placed with law enforcement agencies.  The JRC is funded exclusively from donation and is currently raising funds to purchase more bloodhounds for law enforcement agencies. Visit http://www.jimmyryce.org/ to learn more about Jimmy Ryce, the JRC and how you too can help! 

 "It is truly an honor to provide exams for animals that so selflessly provide support to their people and communities."

      Dr. Robert Swinger l Animal Eye Guys l Owner

November Patient of the Month- Hershey

Hershey is a 13 year old, male, Shih Tzu that has been a patient of the HAH and Dr. Sessa his entire life. In 2012, Dr. Sessa began noticing Hershey’s eyes failing him and referred him to our Ophthalmologist, Dr. Swinger. Hershey was diagnosed and treated for bilateral cataracts and while he had to loose his much loved pony tail in the process of preparation, surgery was a success.  It seemed that the real struggle now would be growing out his bangs. However, within the year, Hershey developed glaucoma in both eyes and daily treatment began again. 
Glaucoma is a term used to describe a group of eye disorders that have many causes but are shared by one common characteristic- elevated pressures in the eye. These elevated pressures caused by the inability of fluid produced in the eye to drain appropriately, causing permanent damage to the eye affecting vision and potentially leading to blindness. Dr. Swinger, Hershey and his mom embarked on an aggressive plan for his eyes but after months of treatment found that the glaucoma could not be controlled.  After all options were discussed it was decided that Hershey would receive a Gentamicin injection. This injection stops the cells that produce the fluid in the eyes thus alleviating the painful pressure. Sadly this also causes immediate blindness. This was a difficult decision for his family to make. Hershey was a career therapy dog and “the best watch dog ever” but treatment was necessary and has proven to make Hershey a much happier pup.
Since the surgery Hershey is out of pain. The headaches associated with glaucoma were relieved and everyday he gets more and more comfortable with himself. His 16 year old sister is a big help too; allowing him to walk all over her and his pride is visible with each new thing he succeeds to do.
Hershey’s family were among the first clients of Dr. Swinger’s when he joined the HAH from his practice in Chicago. They have proven themselves to be loving, diligent and  committed to Hershey’s care and have developed a very close connection to the HAH and the Animal Eye Guy Team. Their one complaint however, is the loss of Hershey’s beloved ponytail but now that his knot top has grown back- all seems right with the world. We are very pleased to highlight Hershey as Patient of the Month!