In May, COVE veterinary ophthalmologist Eric Miller, DVM, MS, DACVO, and registered veterinary technician Chrissy Gilbert volunteered their time to provide eye screenings for working animals serving Central Ohio.
The visiting patients included members of the Columbus Division of Police Canine and Mounted Units and the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Canine Unit. These dogs and horses perform demanding work in changing environments, making comfortable eyes and reliable vision especially important to their safety, handlers, and communities.
Supporting the animals that serve our community
The examinations were part of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists and Epicur Pharma Service Animal Volunteer Eye Screening program. The annual philanthropic event connects qualified service and working animals with complimentary screening examinations donated by participating board-certified veterinary ophthalmologists and their teams.
“Vision and eye health are a necessary and valuable part of the work these animals do,” Dr. Miller said. “This event gives us an opportunity to provide an expert screening examination and recognize the service these animals and their handlers provide.”
The national program has grown substantially since it began in 2008. According to the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists’ program information, ACVO Diplomates have donated tens of thousands of screening examinations to service and working animals.
What a service-animal screening is designed to do
A screening examination looks for changes that could affect eye comfort, visual function, or a working animal’s ability to perform safely. The visit is preventive and community-focused. It is not intended to replace ongoing care from the animal’s primary veterinarian or a complete diagnostic workup when a problem is found.
If a screening identifies a concern, the handler can discuss appropriate follow-up with the animal’s veterinary team. Early attention can be especially valuable because animals may compensate for gradual vision changes and cannot explain that an eye feels painful or that an image has become blurry.
A team effort at COVE
Dr. Miller is a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist, and Chrissy supports ophthalmology patients throughout specialty examinations, diagnostics, treatment, and procedures. Their participation in the screening event reflects COVE’s commitment to both specialty medicine and the Central Ohio community.
Families who want to understand specialist credentials and referral care can read what a veterinary ophthalmologist does and when a pet should see one. Information about COVE’s eye-care team, services, locations, and contact details is available on the COVE Ophthalmology service page.
This community story does not replace a veterinary examination. If your dog, cat, horse, or other animal has redness, squinting, discharge, cloudiness, trauma, or a change in vision, contact a veterinarian for guidance.
