As part of an American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists’ event, the UF Small Animal Hospital will provide free eye exams to certified therapy and service dogs Friday.
“We give them a full workup to make sure that there’s no problem with their eyes. That way they can do the best they can at what they’ve been trained to do.” — Holly Kitchen, ophthalmology technician
Of the near 30 dogs the hospital is expecting, there will be three University Police explosive detection dogs, several UF Shands Hospital therapy dogs, six search and rescue dogs and numerous independently owned service dogs.
Holly Kitchen, an ophthalmology technician who will give exams Friday, said she will look for any deformities, changes or defects in the dogs’ eye lids, corneas and retinas.
“We give them a full work-up to make sure that there’s no problem with their eyes,” she said. “That way they can do the best they can at what they’ve been trained to do.”
Sgt. Ellen Duffy said she plans to take Amber, her 4-year-old yellow lab, to Friday’s exams.
Amber often sweeps the UF football stadium and basketball arena as an explosive detection dog for UPD, Duffy said.
“The dog represents a huge resource,” said Duffy, who is Amber’s handler. “We make sure that they’re in tip-top health, including their eyesight.”
She said the hospital takes great care of Amber and the department’s other dogs during their regular checkups.
Kitchen said the event is rewarding for everyone involved.
“It feels really awesome doing this,” she said. “We’re benefiting those animals who selflessly care for their owners.”
Sergeant Ellen Duffy poses with her 4-year-old lab, Amber, one of the dogs expected to receive a free exam during the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists’ National Service Dog Eye Exam event at the UF Small Animal Hospital.
