BLACKSBURG-- Boomer has a nose for sniffing out bombs but it’s not the only sense he and his handler want to keep an eye on.
“It does help him get around obstacles and stuff like that, to be able to jump up on items,” says Boomer’s handler, Virginia Tech officer Larry Wooddell.
Dr. Phillip Pickett is a veterinary ophthalmologist at the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech. He’s part of a national campaign giving service dogs free eye exams-- to help keep dogs like State Police K-9 Jacob—in service. “You have a person’s livelihood that depends on that animal being able to do his job appropriately,” Pickett said. “If the dog can’t see properly, then that would be a problem.”
Pickett spots something on Boomer his handler now knows about. It could be nothing but in some cases, “Many times we can pick up a disease that in the early stages can be treated.” The idea is preventative maintenance.
It’s not just police dogs who qualify. Hearing dogs, handicapped assistance dogs, search and rescue or certified therapy dogs all qualify for the free exam.
“When we’re out there and the dogs are in good health, they are working better,” said Wooddell. Working better and seeing clearly.
The free exams will be given May 6th but you have to register for an appointment. Click here to register.
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