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CALLING ALL SERVICE DOGS THROUGHOUT TAMPA BAY!
FREE EYE EXAMS IN MAY WILL HELP PRESERVE SIGHT FOR WORKING CANINES!
Tampa & Clearwater, FL – Florida Veterinary Specialists & Cancer Treatment Center in Tampa and Clearwater is teaming up with The American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists® (ACVO®) to take part in the ACVO® National Service Dog Eye Exam event. This unprecedented event will provide free sight-saving eye exams and preventative health reports to service dogs throughout Tampa Bay.
Service Dog groups include: guide dogs, handicapped assistance dogs, detection dogs, and search and rescue dogs. Dogs must be 'working dogs' which were certified through a formal training program or organization to qualify. The hope with this event is to make a large impact to help preserve the sight of these animals whose partners depend upon them. In addition to the eye exam, participants will receive a Pet Wellness Report™ (preventative health diagnosis) and blood panel through their primary care veterinarian.
Participants who qualify MUST first register online for the event at www.acvoeyeexam.org Click on Dog owners/participants at the top of the page and follow the instructions. Once a participant is registered, they can contact Florida Veterinary Specialists at 813-933-8944 and let them know, they are registered for the ACVO Service Dog Event and need an appointment.
Florida Veterinary Specialists & Cancer Treatment Center in TAMPA will have appointments available on May 23RD. Dr. Noelle McNabb, a board certified Veterinary Ophthalmologist will be seeing patients. She says, “We want to be able to identify problems as early as possible. So much is to be said about preventive care. This gives us an opportunity to do a more in-depth health screening. Because these dogs assist people, in particular, their sight is of vital importance to their everyday job requirement. It’s tremendously important and terrific to be part of. I find these dogs give selflessly their entire lives. They are eager to do it and ask for nothing in return except for our praise and companionship.”
Florida Veterinary Specialists in CLEARWATER will have appointments available on May 20th. Dr. Michele Stengard, a board certified Veterinary Ophthalmologist will be seeing patients. She adds, “Veterinary ophthalmology is a highly specialized skill and it’s important to make it available to members of our community, especially those involved in service and to show our support for these dogs.”
More than 140 board certified veterinary ophthalmologists and 1,300 general veterinarians across the US will work together in May to provide these services at no cost to service dog groups. Between 5,000 and 10,000 Service Dogs are expected to participate. An ACVO® Diplomate recently hosted a local ‘test’ event in Memphis, TN and examined 87 Service Dogs. The local event was so successful that ACVO
more-
decided to offer this program on a national scale. One seeing-eye dog, “Quest”, was diagnosed with a
possible sight-robbing tumor, which would be devastating to both him and his owner, Mr. Ron McKenney. We are hopeful that through the partnership of a veterinary oncologist and veterinary ophthalmologist Quest may be able to retain his sight.
MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES: The media is invited to interview Dr’s Stengard and McNabb. They are also welcome to take video/photos of patients undergoing exams, both in advance of the events and day of the events.
About Florida Veterinary Specialists & Cancer Treatment Center:
Opened in 1996, Florida Veterinary Specialists and Cancer Treatment Center was founded with the concept of providing a superior level of patient and client care through close cooperation with the family practitioner. In addition to referral appointments, the hospital is open 24 hours a day for case transfers by the family practitioner and after-hours emergencies. Florida Veterinary Specialists serves as an extension of the general practice. Their specialized services include Acupuncture, Avian & Exotic, Behavioral Medicine, Cardiology, Critical Care, Dermatology, Emergency Medicine, Internal medicine, Neurology, Oncology/Radiation, Ophthalmology, Radiology, Rehabilitation, and Surgery. Florida Veterinary Specialists is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and is located at 3000 Busch Lake Blvd. in Tampa.
About Florida Veterinary Specialists – Clearwater:
Opened in 2007, Florida Veterinary Specialists – Clearwater provides specialty Ophthalmology care for referral patients. The hospital is located at 4525 Ulmerton Road in Clearwater.
About the ACVO®
The ACVO® 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 their DVM program, a one year internship, a three year residency and pass a series of credentials and examinations.
The ACVO® National Service Dog Eye Exam Day is a ground-breaking event that will help preserve the eye-sight of thousands of Service Dogs across America. The following non-profit organizations are supporting this effort: American Animal Hospital Association, American Veterinary Medical Association, state Veterinary Medical Associations (USA and Canada), American Society of Veterinary Medical Association Executives, Veterinary Hospital Managers Association, Veterinary Ophthalmic Technicians Society, Guide Dogs for the Blind, Guiding Eyes for the Blind, North American Police Dog Association, National Narcotic Detection Dog Association, Patriot Paws Service Dogs, and Service Dogs of America. More organizational support is pending. The public may learn more or register to participate by visiting www.ACVOeyeexam.org.
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