Animal Vision Center of Virginia to Provide Complimentary Exams for Local Registered Service Animals in May
Sign up April 1-30 for appointments in May
(Virginia Beach, Va., March 20, 2025) – Since opening Animal Vision Center of Virginia in 2015, Dr. Heather Brookshire has offered free eye exams year-round for registered service and working animals in the Coastal Virginia area. Starting in April, she and her staff boost these efforts even more by volunteering their expertise to the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ACVO) Service Animal Eye Screening Event in May.
During this annual public awareness promotion, ACVO diplomates, like Brookshire, donate their staffing, facilities and time to perform complimentary eye screenings for service animals across the region. To qualify for the exam, service animals must be active working animals, certified by a formal training program or organization or currently enrolled in a formal training program.
“These screenings offer a different and more specialized level of eye examination than are possible during a primary care or wellness exam,” said Brookshire, who has provided hundreds of free eye exams since she opened her practice. “These exams focus on detecting issues like cataracts, glaucoma and retinal disease, among other inherited ocular conditions. The aim is to identify ocular problems early and to prevent or delay the progression of an ocular abnormality.”
Registration will be open April 1-30 for scheduling the May screening appointments. Service animal owners may contact Animal Vision Center of Virginia at 757-749-4838 for further details and to register.
The Screening Process
During the screening appointment, Brookshire and her staff will examine and evaluate the entire globe and periocular regions for any concerns. They look for problems such as redness, squinting, cloudy corneas, retinal disease, early cataracts and other serious abnormalities. Early detection and treatment are vital to these working animals. The aim is to identify ocular problems early and to prevent or delay the progression of an ocular abnormality. Sedation is not required, nor is the exam painful or stressful to the animal. The appointment takes approximately 10-20 minutes.
The ACVO/Epicure National Service Animal Eye Exam Event brings together more than 250 board-certified ACVO diplomates across approximately 170 cities in the United States, Canada, Hong Kong, Puerto Rico, and the United Kingdom to provide screening free eye exams to service and working Animals in May.
“Not only does this give us a chance to give back to some of the most deserving members of our human and animal community, but it allows us a critical opportunity to protect the physical well-being and the livelihood of the animals who are working to care for their humans,” said Brookshire.
Animal Vision Center of Virginia has practices in Chesapeake and Virginia Beach. Visit www.animalvisioncenterva.com for details. To inquire about or schedule a free eye screening, please call 757-749-4838, April 1-30, 2025.
Service and Working Animal Facts
- Since the ACVO launched National Service Dog Eye Examination Month in 2009, approximately 81,000 service animals have participated in eye screenings through the awareness event.
- Animals seen through the promotion include primarily dogs, but cats, equines and exotics have also benefited.
- The most common service dog breeds are German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers, but dogs of different breeds can become a service dog with proper training.
- The ACVO is an approved veterinary specialty organization that board certifies veterinary ophthalmologists under the charter of the American Board of Veterinary Specialties, the credentialing oversight arm of the American Veterinary Medical Association.
Eye screenings are not painful or stressful to animals, nor is sedation required. AVCVA photo
Providing quality ophthalmic care for animals of all shapes and sizes, Animal Vision Center of Virginia has practices in Chesapeake and Virginia Beach. Their care team provides the highest level of technology, education, skill and compassion, from consultation to complete ophthalmic services. animalvisioncenterva.com; 757-749-4838
Media Contact: Elizabeth Evans, elizabeth@evansatwork.com | 757-705-7153
