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Free Eye Exams for Service Animals at Saint Francis Veterinary Center in May

Robert Peiffer, DVM, PhD, DACVO, Chief of Ophthalmology, offers free eye examinations to all service animals throughout the month of May

Saint Francis Veterinary Center of South Jersey is offering free eye examinations to eligible service animals, including guide dogs, handicapped assistance animals, detection dogs, therapy animals, military working animals, psychiatric dogs, and search and rescue dogs. Saint Francis Veterinary Center will host the program throughout the month of May 2014.

 

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Owners of qualified service animals must register in advance by visiting www.ACVOeyeexam.org from April 1 to April 30, 2014. After registering, owners are encouraged to contact Saint Francis Veterinary Center to schedule an appointment for their animal’s free sight-saving exam with Dr. Peiffer during the month of May. Examinations will occur at Saint Francis’ Gloucester County location, 392 Kings Highway, Woolwich Township, NJ 08085.

 

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Dr. Peiffer will conduct a complete ocular exam on each registered animal to evaluate and identify any problems such as redness, squinting, cloudy corneas, retinal disease, early cataracts and other serious abnormalities. Early detection and treatment are vital to service animals, helping to keep them safe and ensure the wellbeing of their owners and service partners. 

 

“Vision is a vital part of service animals’ daily activities, making early detection and treatment critical to their overall health and ability to perform their duties,” said Dr. Peiffer. “These exams allow us to catch problems early on and to effectively treat the animal in an effort to correct any ocular issues and in some cases prevent the animal from going blind. I greatly value the service these animals provide to our community, and it means a lot to me and our staff to provide these animals with this sight-saving service.”

 

Saint Francis Veterinary Center’s Department of Ophthalmology specializes in eye health, eye disease, and vision in animals to help diagnose and treat animal eye illnesses, and offers advanced treatment options to improve the animal’s health and quality of life. For more information on the Department of Ophthalmology, visit http://www.saintfrancis.org/departments/ophthalmology.

About Saint Francis Veterinary Center

Saint Francis Veterinary Center is an award-winning specialty referral practice that has achieved accreditation by the American Animal Hospital Association, a designation that is earned by only 15% of veterinary hospitals in North America. Based in Woolwich Township, N.J., the Center is home to Board Certified specialists and experienced clinicians specializing in 24/7 emergency and critical care, surgery, internal medicine, cardiology, radiology, ophthalmology, physical rehabilitation, nuclear medicine, and holistic and natural therapies. For more information please visit www.SaintFrancis.org or www.Facebook.com/saintfrancisvet.

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.

 

Media Contact:

Kayleen Smith

Saint Francis Veterinary Center

(856) 467-0050

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