Katonah Bedford Veterinary Center and SouthPaws Veterinary Specialists & Emergency Center teamed up with The American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists® taking part in the ACVO/Merial National Service Dog Eye Exam event, May 4 – 8, 2009. Ophthalmologists at both BrightHeart hospitals provided free sight-saving eye exams to service dogs throughout Virginia, Washington D.C., Maryland, New York and Connecticut.
This was the second year BrightHeart Veterinary Centers participated in this national effort. Last year, more than 1,500 service dogs were examined across the U.S. and Canada. “I feel it’s really important for us to give back to the dogs that do so much for us,” according to Dr. Nancy Bromberg, Board Certified Veterinary Ophthalmologist at SouthPaws Veterinary Specialists & Emergency Center. Dr. Cory Mosunic, Board Certified Veterinary Ophthalmologist at Katonah Bedford Veterinary Center adds, “Being out of work, even for a few days is a big deal for these dogs, so we look for any retinal disease or early cataracts. We also look for things that will limit their vision down the road, whether it’s an ingrown hair or anything that can result in the scratch of the cornea. It’s a complete ocular exam.”
Once each free eye exam had been completed, the participants were asked to take the report back to their primary care veterinarian for general health visits.