Free eye test for dogs is no joke
BRIAN FISCHLER’S life would be scary and dull by turns if it wasn’t for his loyal guide dog, Nash. The 3-year-old yellow Labrador retriever makes it possible for the blind comedian to safely traverse Manhattan and perform in comedy clubs from coast to coast.
Nash acts as Fischler’s eyes and his safety net, and on a bad day, is a much more affectionate and cuddly companion than his rusty old walking cane. Still, he often worries what would happen if his trusted companion’s eyes wentbad.
“As someone who has lost his eyesight over the last 10 years, I know how quick eye disease can come on, and affect a person or a dog,” said Fischler, 38, who performs comedy with Nash locally and organizes the bicoastal fund-raiser Laugh for Sight.
Fischler plans to take advantage of a great free program offered next month for service dogs of all stripes. The American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists will offer free eye exams around the U.S. to a wide array of canines that do amazing things: dogs that assist people with disabilities, including the deaf and hard of hearing; search and rescue dogs; detection dogs, and military and police dogs, among others.
Horses, donkeys, chimps and other service animals may also qualify.
Board-certified ophthalmologists Alexandra van der Woerdt, at the Animal Medical Center in Manhattan, and Dr. John Sapienz, of Long Island Veterinary Specialists in Plainview, will offer free exams to service animals in the new york area.
Sapienz urges all pet owners to care for their dog’s eyes. Signs to watch for include red or cloudy eyes and squinting. Bumping into furniture is one clue that your dog’s vision may have changed. Steps to protect your dog’s eyesight should include feeding a well-balanced diet, including vitamin E, observing any changes in behavior and reducing sunlight exposure.
Exam registration for service animal owners and handlers begins April 1. To register and to find out whether your animal qualifies, go to www.acvoeyeexam.org.
Here are other events going on around town:
Saturday, head over to Brooklyn for the Bark Mutt Show, where pooches with the best smooch or who look most like their owners vie for top prizes ($25 entry fee for charity). Also at the event, kittens and pups from Sean Casey Animal Rescue will be up for adoption. From 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Brooklyn Lyceum, 227 Fourth Ave. Info: www.brooklynbark.com /mutt_show/
Sunday, help raise funds and awareness of cancer at the American Cancer Society Bark for Life Fund-raiser. Gaggles of adoptable animals will be available from Bideawee. Among those in need of a sweet home is Patrick, a lovely tuxedo who’s on the mend after he was dragged by a car two weeks a go on first Ave. The lucky kittywas saved by Ladder 7, Engine 16 firefighters who brought the cat to a Bideawee shelter. The event will take place at The Spot Experience, 105 72nd St. at Columbus Ave., from 11a.m. to 1p.m.
And if you’re gearing up for the mad men premiere on Sunday, the ASPCA has named five of its adoptable dogs and cats after the cast. There’s Don Draper, a 6-year-old male Jack Russell terrier; Peggy Olson, a young female foxhound; Joan Holloway, a white pit bull mix; Pete Campbell, a senior orange cat, and Roger Sterling, a young white and gray cat who loves gentle, quiet attention. Check them out at the ASPCAT HIS weekend. www.aspca.org.