2026 registration IS NOW open THROUGH april 30TH
Registration begins April 1st - 30th, 2026 and appointments are scheduled in May of 2026.
DOES YOUR SERVICE ANIMAL QUALIFY FOR THE ACVO/Epicur EVENT?
The ACVO-SAVES (ACVO®/Epicur Service Animal Volunteer Eye Screening Event) offers free wellness eye exams for eligible Service and Working Animals. This includes animals trained for guide work, hearing assistance, drug detection, police or military roles, search and rescue, some therapy, and support for individuals with disabilities other than blindness. Registration is open each year from April 1–30.
To qualify, animals must be active, working, and formally trained Service, Working, or Therapy Animals. Proof of training is required (and active registration for therapy animals). Emotional support animals are not eligible. Animals currently enrolled in a formal training program may be eligible based on clinic availability. Members of the International Association of Assistance Dog Partners (IAADP) who are current, active Partner Members also qualify. Similar memberships can be considered for self-trained Service Animals if they require training and behavioral screening for membership. At the time of the exam, you must provide documentation of training and current working status, along with your registration number from the confirmation email. Please note that participating clinics may have limited availability.
These complimentary exams are screening exams and are not intended for animals with known eye conditions or those already under treatment. Their purpose is to detect early or developing issues. For ongoing care or existing concerns, please continue to work with your primary veterinarian or current veterinary ophthalmologist.
WHAT ABOUT PUPPIES?
Puppies may participate in the program if they meet some general parameters:
They must be at least 3 months old at the time of the exam.
They must already be a part of a recognized, national or regional non-profit Service or Working Animal training organization. (Therapy puppies in training are not permitted.)
This screening is not an ACVO CAER exam by OFA, it will not provide an OFA exam/form.
Examination of an entire litter is usually not be permitted, the appointment is meant for one animal. This is due to limited appointment slots available and our specialists trying to accommodate as many individuals as possible.
I OWN A NON-CANINE 'ASSISTANCE ANIMAL', MAY WE PARTICIPATE?
If your animal is a formally trained Assistance Animal (other than a dog), you are still welcome to register. The same qualification and training requirements apply. When scheduling your appointment with a participating ophthalmologist, please confirm that your animal’s species can be accommodated at that location (for example, cats or horses used in mounted patrol).
Please note that horses require specialized facilities, so availability may be limited. To help with planning, a list of locations equipped to examine equines is available on the “Participating Cities” page. We recommend reviewing this list before registering.
Do Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) Qualify for this Event?
Emotional Support Animals are not eligible for the ACVO/Epicur Service Animal Volunteer Eye Screening Event at this time. If your ESA may benefit from an eye exam, we encourage you to schedule an appointment with a veterinary ophthalmologist outside of this program. You can visit www.ACVO.org for more information and help finding a specialist near you.
Please note that eligibility for “qualified Service Animals” applies only to the ACVO-SAVES event. Qualification is based solely on the animal’s training, role, and behavior. No information about the owner or their medical condition is required. As a privately funded organization, ACVO sets its own participation guidelines.
REGISTRATION PROCESS & EXPECTATIONS
Step 1 - Check that a participating clinic is located in your area for 2026. If you don't see your location(s), you may need to consider nearby neighboring states/major cities.
Step 2 - Review the Qualifications, Expectations, and Registration Information on this page to be sure that your Service or Working Animal is qualified for this event.
Step 3 - Register qualifying Service or Working Animals via the online registration form located at the bottom of this page starting April 1st, 2026, through April 30th, 2026.
Step 4 - Once registered a confirmation email will be sent to the address provided, add ‘ServiceAnimal@ACVO.org’ to your safe senders list. The email will include a registration number and a direct link to participating clinics with their contact information. Animals must be registered and gain a registration number before calling for appointments. (Please do not share the list outside of registration as any non-registered animals will not be accommodated. Kindly check your spam/junk folder and wait 30 minutes before emailing the ACVO to request this information.)
Step 5 - Contact your preferred participating clinic to schedule an appointment and provide the registration number to the clinic.
DAY OF APPOINTMENT
Service and Working Animals - lease bring written proof of your animal’s formal training, along with a copy of your registration confirmation email, to your appointment. Only formally trained Service or Working Animals are eligible. If your animal is self-trained, you may qualify by becoming a member of the International Association of Assistance Dog Partners (IAADP) or a similar organization that verifies training and behavior.
Please note that both documents are required. If they are not provided, your appointment may be forfeited and participation may not be possible.
Formally Trained Therapy Animals - Please bring proof of your animal’s current training and work/registration (showing formal training and active working status), along with your ACVO-SAVES registration confirmation email, to your appointment.
Both documents are required. If they are not provided, your appointment may be forfeited and participation may not be possible.
APPOINTMENT DATES AND TIMES
Appointment dates and times vary by clinic and are based on each office’s availability, typically during the month of May. Some clinics offer exams on specific days or times, while others schedule at their discretion.
When scheduling your appointment, please let the clinic know you are participating in ACVO-SAVES and have your registration number from your confirmation email ready. Clinics may ask a few additional questions when booking.
Please note that clinics may set limits to help serve as many participants as possible. For example, they may limit the number of animals per individual or organization, or the number of appointments available for each participant type. While this is not always the case, it may occur when appointment availability is limited.
Submitting your registration does not guarantee an appointment at your preferred clinic or confirm eligibility for the exam.
One registration is for one Service Animal.
WHAT IS THE SCREENING EYE EXAM?
The complimentary eye exam through your veterinary ophthalmologist is of a screening nature and is not appropriate for animals with known eye issues. It is expected that the majority of animals will be healthy and will not be in need of additional services. Should an eye problem be detected, your veterinary ophthalmologist can discuss the condition, but it may be necessary to schedule an additional appointment to address these issues. Data is not collected by the ACVO.
What to Expect During the Exam
A veterinary ophthalmologist will examine your animal’s eyes to check for any abnormalities. The goal is to catch issues early, including conditions that may need treatment to prevent or slow progression. This can include problems such as retinal disease, cataracts, or glaucoma.
Exam Details
Typically takes 10–25 minutes
No sedation required
Non-painful and low stress
Requires only minimal restraint
Timing and procedures may vary slightly by clinic
How the Eyes Are Examined
A specialized instrument called a slit-lamp biomicroscope is used to examine the eyelids, conjunctiva, cornea, and lens. This helps identify issues such as extra eyelashes, corneal scars or cloudiness, growths, or cataracts.
Based on these findings, additional tests may be performed, including:
Schirmer tear test to measure tear production
Fluorescein stain to detect corneal ulcers
Tonometry to measure eye pressure
Pupil Dilation (Optional)
In some cases, eye drops (Tropicamide) may be used to gently dilate the pupils. This allows a more complete view of the lens, vitreous (the gel behind the lens), and retina.
This is optional and may depend on your animal’s immediate duties and clinic availability
Drops take 15–20 minutes to take effect
Effects wear off in about 2 hours and typically does not affect ability to work