Showing posts with label service animals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label service animals. Show all posts

Friday, March 10, 2023

Free Eye Exams for Service Animals

 VCA Hollywood Animal Hospital (VCA Hollywood) and Animal Eye Guys (AEG) of South Florida will once again partner to offer the ACVO National Service Dog Eye Exam program.  

Now in its 14th year, this program offers free eye exams for pre-registered service animals during the month of May. VCA Hollywood Animal Hospital and Animal Eye Guys will host a one day event exclusively for these sight saving exams.

What:
Guardians and handlers of all qualified service animals are invited to VCA Hollywood Animal Hospital for a free eye exam provided by Dr. Robert Swinger, D.V.M., Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologist and his team at Animal Eye Guys of South Florida.

When: Local Event date: May 21, 2023

Where: VCA Hollywood Animal Hospital

Pre-Registration is required

Register April 1- 30th  online at http://www.acvo.org/

Who:
Active working animals such as guide dogs, handicapped assistance animals, detection dogs, therapy animals, and search and rescue dogs that have 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. 

How:
Pre-Registration for these exam begins-   April 1st -April 30th at www.ACVOeyeexam.org

Once registered, call  754-732-1792  with the registration number to schedule your appointment in May.

Since the program launched in 2008, nearly 16,000 service animals have been examined.  In addition to dogs, other service animals including horses and even a service donkey named Henry have received free sight saving exams.  

A sampling of groups served since the ACVO National Service Dog Eye Exam Event launched in 2008 include: Transportation Security Agency (TSA) and military working dogs from Lackland Air Force Base in Texas, Puppies Behind Bars, an organization providing psychiatric service dogs to soldiers coming home from Iraq and Afghanistan, local fire, rescue and police agencies, and also individual service animal owners and handlers who rely on these amazing animals daily.  

The event is primarily sponsored by ACVO.  Other non-profit supporters include the American Veterinary Medical Association, most state veterinary medical associations in the U.S. and Canada, American Society of Veterinary Medical Association Executives, and other national service animal organizations.  

About VCA Hollywood Animal Hospital
VCA Hollywood Animal Hospital has earned a solid reputation for offering the very best in veterinary medicine as well as the latest technological advances and therapies. Founded in 1947,VCA HAH features 21 veterinarians and more than 100 highly trained technical and support staff members. For more information, please visit http://www.VCAhollywood or call 954.920.3556. 

About Animal Eye Guys
Animal Eye Guys has proudly served the Hollywood FL area for everything pet related. There clinic is run by Dr. Robert Swinger, who is a licensed, experienced Hollywood veterinarian and Board Certified Veterinary Ophthalmologist. Their team is committed to educating clients in how to keep their pets healthy year round, with good nutrition and exercise. Animal Eye Guys stays on top of the latest advances in veterinarian technology and above all, remembers that all animals and pets need to be treated with loving care in every check-up, procedure, or surgery. https://animaleyeguys.com/

About the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists
The American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists® is an approved veterinary specialty organization of the American Board of Veterinary Specialties, and is recognized by the American Veterinary Medical Association. Its mission is “to advance the quality of veterinary medicine through certification of veterinarians who demonstrate excellence as specialists in veterinary ophthalmology.” To become board certified, a candidate must complete a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree, a one year internship, a three year approved residency and pass a series of credentials and examinations. http://www.acvo.org/

Friday, May 20, 2016

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




Join us!!





Wednesday, April 27, 2016

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

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

May Free Eye Exam for Service Animals!!!!

 Hollywood Animal Hospital and Animal Eye Guys, in conjunction with the American College of Veterinarian Ophthalmology and Merial will offer free eye exams to all service animals throughout the month of May. Guardians and handlers of all qualified service animals are invited to visit the clinic for a free eye exam provided by Dr. Robert Swinger, D.V.M., Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmology.

"I will be checking 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," said Dr. Swinger. "It is truly an honor to provide exams for animals who so selflessly provide support to their people and communities."


To qualify, animals must be active working animals such as guide dogs, handicapped assistance animals, detection dogs, therapy animals, and search and rescue dogs that have been certified by a formal training program/organization or are currently enrolled in a formal training program. The certifying organization can be national, regional or local in nature.

Owners/agents for the animal(s) must first register the animal via an online registration form
beginning April 1, 2013 at www.acvoeyeexam.org. Registration ends April 30th.
Once registered online, the owner/agent will receive a registration number. They can then simply
call Hollywood Animal Hospital with that number to make an appointment.

"For 65 years, the veterinarians and staff of Hollywood Animal Hospital have been deeply devoted
to companion animals and the people of South Florida," said Dr. Jim Herrington. "When Dr.
Swinger presented the ACVO/Merial National Service Dog Eye Exam program to us, we jumped
at the opportunity to participate."