ACVO Vision for Animals Foundation

01/31/2025

The VAF is looking for volunteers in 2025! Several committees are looking for volunteers to join this year. If any of these interest you, you can reach out for more information and get involved by emailing [email protected].

01/29/2025

Save The Date! The Vision for Animals Foundation will be holding their annual fundraiser on Friday, October 17th, 2025 in Grapevine, Texas. Mark your calendars and stay tuned for more details!

01/27/2025

The VAF would like to sincerely thank all of the Basic Science Course Speakers who contributed all of part of their honorarium to VAF.

Dr. Eric Fausak
Dr. Phillipe LaBelle
Dr. Bianca Martins
Dr. Gillian McLellan
Dr. Eric Miller
Dr. Freya Mowat
Dr. Carolina Naranjo Freixa
Dr. Sara Thomasy
Dr. Christine Watte

01/24/2025

Welcome New 2025 Board Members!

Brooklynn LaFoon, originally from Raleigh, NC, earned a BS from East Carolina University and graduated from Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2014. She received the ACVO Student Award and completed internships in small animal emergency, ophthalmology specialty, and residency at BluePearl in MI, Animal Eye Care in VA, and MedVet in OH. In 2020, she joined Carolina Veterinary Specialists in Greensboro, where she is now Medical Director. Dr. LaFoon is active with the Guilford and Forsyth County Humane Societies, the Duke Lemur Center, and volunteers at the ACVO/Epicur Service Animal Eye Event. In her spare time, she enjoys family time, kayaking, beekeeping, gardening, and traveling.

Alex Sigmund is a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist and the founder of Insight Veterinary Eye Care, LLC, providing continuing education and teleconsultation services. He engages with veterinarians and pet owners through social media, events, and one-on-one sessions. Known as “The Vet Eye Guy” on Instagram, Dr. Sigmund combines his passion for ophthalmology with his love for outreach and education.

Gerald Sw***er-Vargas moved from Venezuela to the U.S. 24 years ago and spent 10 years as a Commercial Business Banker with JPMorgan Chase. In 2012, he and his husband, Dr. Robert Sw***er, founded Animal Eye Guys of South Florida, expanding to seven locations before transitioning to a larger firm in 2021. Gerald is now building Elite Veterinary Specialists in Central Florida. A proud father of twins and dog owner, he enjoys boating and exploring new places in his free time.

Clara Williams, Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists since 2008, completed her Residency in veterinary ophthalmology and MSc in Pathology at The University of Georgia. Dr. Williams has practiced in San Francisco, New York City, and now in the Greater Boston area.

The VAF thanks outgoing board member Dr. Andrew Lewin for his service.

01/22/2025

The Vision for Animals Foundation would like to thank all of our 2024 donors! You can view a full donor list here: https://files.constantcontact.com/721cd742401/cd048a21-8fe0-448b-b909-50fdbe307944.pdf?rdr=true

01/09/2025

The Eaton Fire Emergency has left many animals in need of medical care and shelter. Pasadena Humane is finding shelter space for more than 300 animals and providing pet food, other necessities, and veterinary treatment to displaced families. You can find information to donate below.

Update on Eaton Fire Emergency:
We have taken in over 300 animals due to evacuations and have staff and volunteers working nonstop to help with their care. We are starting to see many animals coming in with burns and injuries. These animals are being treated in our ICU. We are providing them with pain medications, wound care, fluid, and oxygen as needed.

We’re working with shelters across the state who have offered to take in the animals that were already in our care so that we can focus on providing resources to the displaced animals. A huge thank you to the shelters throughout California who are offering assistance, as well as all people in our community reaching out to volunteer or donate. Our biggest need right now is for monetary donations to help provide emergency resources to animals affected by the wildfires.

If you are being evacuated and can go somewhere with your pets–such as a friend or family member’s home–that is ideal. If you are evacuating, please take your animals with you. We are very thankful that the Pasadena Civic Center has allowed people to stay with their pets. We are helping in any way that we can–providing them with resources such as food and leashes for the displaced families. We also have pet food available at the shelter for those who need it. If you cannot go somewhere that allows your pet to stay with you, you can bring your animals to the shelter where we are offering emergency boarding.

Our Animal Control Officers have been on the ground helping animals in the community. While they are not going into the active fire areas, we are preparing to get in many injured animals that will need our help in those areas once the fires are cleared. If you find injured wildlife, please text our wildlife helpline at 626.344.1129. If you find any other animal, including dogs and cats, please call Animal Control at 626.792.7151 ext. 970.

We anticipate getting in even more animals who are in need of emergency medical care as the fires continue. If you are able to donate, please visit https://give.pasadenahumane.org/give/654134/ #!/donation/checkout

12/23/2024

Happy Holidays from the ACVO Vision for Animals Foundation!

As we celebrate this season of giving, we invite you to consider making a year-end contribution to the VAF. Your generous gift supports groundbreaking research and vital educational opportunities that benefit the profession.

Make your contribution today: visionforanimals.org/donations

Thank you for being part of our mission. Wishing you a joyful holiday season and a happy and safe New Year!

12/17/2024

Thank you to our Drs. Lena Strom, Renee Carter, Josh Daniels, Ann Strom and Minna Mustikka (Panel) and Dr. Hans Westermeyer (Moderator) for a terrific webinar on International Perspectives on Antibiotic Use in Veterinary Ophthalmology. We are so grateful for your time and expertise.

A link to the recording was sent to all registrants and will be available for two weeks.

12/10/2024

Please consider making a year-end contribution to the VAF. Your gift will support research and educational opportunities within the profession.

Visit https://www.visionforanimals.org/donations/ to make your contribution!

12/06/2024

Don't forget to register for the next VAF webinar, "International Perspectives on Antibiotic Use in Veterinary Ophthalmology" on Monday, December 16 at 1PM ET.

For more details and to register visit: https://www.visionforanimals.org/events/

11/30/2024

There's still time! Show your support for the VAF in style with this all-new, limited edition sweatshirt design featuring the VAF logo and adorable paw prints on the sleeve.

All sizes are unisex.

Visit https://bit.ly/49c03RJ to purchase today. (Your purchase includes a $15 donation to the VAF!)

11/28/2024

Happy Thanksgiving from the VAF!

11/26/2024

Don't forget to register for the next VAF webinar, "International Perspectives on Antibiotic Use in Veterinary Ophthalmology".

The webinar will take place on Monday, December 16 at 1PM ET. For more details and to register visit: https://www.visionforanimals.org/events/

11/21/2024

Volunteer with the VAF in 2025!

The VAF is looking Committee members to help plan educational programming, assist in outreach and promotional efforts, and to foster the new VAF program, Apple of My Eye.

Interested in learning more? Email us at [email protected]

11/19/2024

Thank you to Dr. Brooklynn LaFoon for organizing our first Apple of My Eye activity and gathering for families. Many kids (and grownups!!) enjoyed the Scavenger Hunt through Savannah.

Families also gathered on Saturday morning for donuts, juice, pint sized swag bags and a chance to connect. Look out for more details about our plans for Grapevine, TX!

11/13/2024

Registration is open for the next VAF webinar, "International Perspectives on Antibiotic Use in Veterinary Ophthalmology" on Monday, December 16 at 1PM ET.

For more details and to register visit: https://www.visionforanimals.org/events/