Supporting Service & Working Animals—Together
A Collaborative Model of Care
Dr. Rachel Davis with the Animal Eye Clinic of Westfield, IN. (ACVO-SAVES exam program photo)
Primary Care Veterinarians
Thank you for the care and dedication you provide to Service and Working Animals and the clients who rely on them. Through the ACVO-SAVES (ACVO®/Epicur Service Animal Volunteer Eye Screening) program, we are proud to partner with you in supporting the long-term ocular health of these highly valued animals.
Registration for the 17th annual ACVO-SAVES event, sponsored by Epicur Pharma®, is open April 1–30, 2026.
This program is designed to complement—not replace—the care you already provide. Our goal is to work alongside you, offering an additional layer of ophthalmic screening while reinforcing your central role in each patient’s ongoing care.
A Collaborative Model of Care
Board-certified ACVO Diplomates volunteer their time each May to provide complimentary screening eye exams for eligible Service and Working Animals. Following the exam, handlers receive documentation outlining findings, including any concerns or areas to monitor.
We encourage clients to share these results with you so that:
You remain the primary coordinator of care
Findings can be incorporated into your ongoing clinical management
Referral decisions, if needed, are made in partnership
This collaborative approach helps ensure continuity of care while supporting early detection and proactive management of ocular conditions.
Program Reach and Impact
The ACVO-SAVES initiative continues to grow, reflecting the profession’s shared commitment to service:
300+ board-certified ACVO Diplomates participating
~200 cities worldwide, including the U.S., Canada, Hong Kong, Switzerland, and Australia
91,500+ Service and Working Animals screened following the 2025 event
How the Program Works (For Your Clients)
You may wish to share the following high-level steps with eligible clients:
Register online at ACVO-SAVES.org during April
Schedule an appointment with a participating ophthalmologist for May
Attend the screening exam
Share exam results with you to support ongoing care
A full set of client instructions, eligibility details, and FAQs are available on the website.
How You Can Support Your Clients
If you have clients who may benefit from this program, we invite you to:
Refer them to ACVO-SAVES.org for registration and details
Share program information through your clinic communications or social channels
Help raise awareness by engaging with the program on Facebook
Additional resources—including banner ads, press materials, and educational tools—are available to support your outreach.
Our Commitment to You
The ACVO is dedicated to supporting referring veterinarians as essential partners in patient care. By providing annual screening opportunities, we aim to equip you with timely information to guide in-house management and identify when specialty care may be beneficial.
A printable, one-page program overview for your team will be available soon, along with a program PSA and expanded website resources.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Thank you for your partnership and for the care you provide every day.
