Calgary service dogs in training get free eye exams
More than 45,000 service animals across North America have received free exams since 2008
Being a service dog is no small task so it's important that the animal's vision is in tip-top shape.
That's why veterinary ophthalmologists like Brian Skorobohach volunteer their time to do free eye exams on pups training to become potential lifelines for people with special needs.
"Especially if people with vision issues are going to be taking them around, they need to have normal vision, these dogs," said Skorobohach.
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This marks the ninth year that the ACVO/StokesRx National Service Animal Eye Exam Event has been held across North America.
Since the program's inception in 2008, more than 45,000 service animals have received free eye exams, including more than 7,000 last year, alone.
Skorobohach has a doggie eye chart up in his Calgary office, complete with images of bones and food dishes that get smaller and smaller as you look down the inverted pyramid.
Of course, it's just for laughs, as he said the actual screening process involves taking a close look at both the front and back of the animals' eyes, using a variety of ophthalmological tools.
He said his exam involves inspecting dogs' eyes to see if there are any problems with the cornea, lens, retina or optic nerve.
Volunteer Hayley Saunders said fostering and training a service dog is an expensive undertaking so it's helpful to have the free eye exams.
"That kind of support is really, really crucial for their development and ultimately their ability to help somebody in the future," she said.
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With files from Monty Kruger