Every May, the MSU Veterinary Medical Center participates in the National Service Animal Eye Exam Event, in which service and working animals can receive complimentary screening eye exams. The event is hosted by the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ACVO).
According to the ACVO, its members provide about 8,000 free eye exams across the United States and Canada each May. This philanthropic event aims to “preserve the sight of those who serve us all selflessly.”
In May 2023, the MSU Veterinary Medical Center’s Comparative Ophthalmology Service provided 22 complimentary exams. The screenings can identify developing health concerns, such as cataracts, glaucoma, or retinal disease.
“It’s an honor to participate in this event each year,” says Dr. András Komáromy, professor of Small Animal Clinical Sciences and ophthalmology specialist at the College of Veterinary Medicine. “Animals support humans in many ways: from guiding visually-impaired individuals to searching rough terrain for missing people, just to name a few. It’s important to give back to them and the community.”
Roles played by working and service animals are vast. Participating animals include:
- Trained therapy animals
- Search-and-rescue dogs
- K-9 Officers
- Military or police horses
- Guide dogs
- And many, many more
Who can participate in the ACVO eye exams? Animals must be qualified and active service animals, and must sign up for an exam during the registration period, which occurs in April of each year.