[Home-on-the-range] free eye exams for service dogs

Fri Mar 23 13:49:44 UTC 2012

 Thanks Susie for sharing this info- it sounds like a much needed service ... if I  might connect this notice regarding service dogs loosely with SDL training...the Iowa Department for the Blind, a number of years ago implemented a policy  that those students going through their training at the Center could bring their dogs to the program but could not use them during the training day...this was quite controversial as Iowa is a state facility. SDL focuses on increasing the independent travel skills of their students through the continual use of the cane - keeping in mind that this is a period of training and the student can choose to use or not use a guide dog following training based on an informed decision opportunity. Also, unfortunately, the guide dog will occasionally get ill or the owner may not want to take them with them on every outing for one reason or another thus the importance of being able to always feel safe and able to continue independent travel using the always ready to use, cane.  One of the biggest misconceptions of the public at large, and perhaps uninformed persons who are blind, is that guide dogs actually make  all the decisions during travel and can actually take the person around by some GPS system they imagine the guide dog to have. What do others out there think about allowing or not allowing the use of guide dogs  during rehabilitation training? I personally think Al Harris was right in  wanting to take the Center's training to that next step in its development.  Because this is a public supported, not a private Center the uproar was fierce ... and  in  in order  for him to  implement this policy  he had to have had the backing of his bosses and his board of directors. Iowa has long had support from both organizations for  the blind. None-the-less, it caused quite an uproar around the country and attacks  from other organizations against such a policy especially in a state funded facility. Of course he could not have pursued this without support from both his superiors and the board of directors that provided guidance and input in the direction they wished the training facility to move into...Cindy, if you read this, can you clarify whether the Iowa Department continued this policy once Harris left? It sounds like the Department may, possibly,  be at a turning point with the director's position once more up for grabs - I'm very glad to hear that Jim Onvig is on the Center's board of director's- if the SDL focus of training has any chance of continuation it will likely be due to his presence and the support of Iowa's NFB affiliate  Though the NFB has made some good progress in moving blind rehab forward, there are many against this model...sometimes, only to be  against anything the NFB supports. I'd love to hear from others on this communication list- what about those of you who have chosen to use a guide dog or those of you that have had the opportunity to go through SDL training programs as well as any of you that may continue to lack the skills that you were assured of having once you went through a traditional program...any thoughts? Dianne
On Mar 21, 2012, at 5:02 PM, Stanzel, Susan - FSA, Kansas City, MO wrote:

> Hi Everyone,
>  
> I thought some of you might be interested in this.
>  
> Susie
>  
> From: Agency IT Accessibility Coordinators (Sec508ITAC) [mailto:SEC508ITAC at LISTSERV.GSA.GOV]On Behalf Of kristin.l.bishop at FRB.GOV
> Sent: Wednesday, March 21, 2012 2:49 PM
> To: SEC508ITAC at LISTSERV.GSA.GOV
> Subject: Free eye exams available to service dogs
>  
> Please Disseminate:
> 
> THOUSANDS OF SERVICE DOGS TO RECEIVE FREE SIGHT SAVING EYE EXAMS THROUGHOUT THE U.S. AND CANADA 
>   
> The 5th Annual ACVO®/Merial® National Service Dog Eye Exam Event brings together 
> veterinary ophthalmologists and thousands of service animals for free eye exams.  Registration begins April 1st for May 2012 event.
> 
>   
> Fairfax, VA -- Guide dogs, handicapped assistance dogs, detection dogs and search and rescue dogs selflessly serve the public. So, for the month of May 2012, Dr. Nancy Bromberg, VCA/SouthPaws Ophthalmology, in partnership with the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ACVO) is launching the 5th annual ACVO/Merial National Service Dog Eye Exam Event to help serve these dogs and other service animals who dedicate their lives to serving the public. More than 200 board certified veterinary ophthalmologists throughout the U.S. , as well as Canada and Puerto Rico , are estimated to provide free sight-saving eye exams to thousands of eligible service animals.  Registration for service animal owners and handlers begins April 1, 2012 at www.ACVOeyeexam.org 
>   
> Since the program launched in 2008, more than 10,500 service animals have been examined.  In addition to dogs, other service animals including horses and even a service donkey named Henry (pictured below) received free sight saving exams.  Henry is a therapy donkey who travels thousands of miles with Young’s Funny Farm (a home for therapy animals) to visit hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers and special needs facilities to help bring a smile to patients.  A few months prior to the 2011 event, his owner discovered he had an eye injury which ultimately stole his sight in one eye.  His free eye exam in May 2011 was to ensure that his other eye is working just fine and he will be able to continue his mission of helping others. 
>   
> WHAT VETERINARY OPHTHALMOLOGISTS LOOK FOR DURING THE EXAM: 
> During the complete ocular exam, the veterinary specialists look 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.  “Our hope is that by checking their vision, we will be able to help a large number of service animals better assist their human friends,” says Stacee Daniel, Executive Director of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists.   
>   
> A sampling of groups served since the ACVO/Merial 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 dog owners and handlers who rely on these amazing animals daily.   
>   
> HOW TO REGISTER FOR THE 2012 EVENT: 
> To qualify, animals must be “active working animals” that were certified by a formal training program or organization or currently enrolled in a formal training program. The certifying organization could 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, 2012 atwww.ACVOeyeexam.org  Registration ends April 30th.  Once registered online, the owner/agent will receive a registration number and will be allowed access to a list of participating ophthalmologists in their area and may contact a specialist to schedule an appointment. At VCA/SouthPaws Ophthalmology or Hartwood Animal Hospital, appointments will take place during the month of May 
>   
> 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. 
>   
> Sponsors of the ACVO/Merial National Service Dog Eye Exam Event include:  Merial, Ocu-Glo Rx Canine Vision Supplement, Welch Allyn, Aventix Animal Health and Eye Care for Animals as well as many non-profit supporters including 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 Merial 
> Merial is a world-leading, innovation-driven animal health company, providing a comprehensive range of products to enhance the health, well-being and performance of a wide range of animals. Merial employs approximately 5,600 people and operates in more than 150 countries worldwide. Its 2010 sales were more than $2.6 billion. Merial is the animal health division of sanofi-aventis.  For more information, please see www.merial.com 
>   
> Media Inquiries: 
> For more information, photos and interviews  contact Madeleine Reberkenny at VCA/SouthPaws 703-752-9100, or Stacee Daniel, Executive Director of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists  To speak with a participating veterinary ophthalmologist, or service dog handler, please contact Sharyn Frankel at 508-561-9357Sharyn at Fetchingcommunications.co
>  
> 
> 
> 
> 
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