[nfb-talk] : Seeing Eye offers microchipping

[Peter Donahue]

Good afternoon everyone,

    The information below really excites me as it is a direct result of my
request to have my new Seeing Eye Dog, Johnny microchipped to prepare him
for possible travel over seas where an implanted  microchip is required for
the dog to be allowed in to the country. They may have had other requests
for this service, but I'm pretty sure that my request played a large part in
urging SE to offer microchipping of their dogs to students prior to leaving
for home. Just wanted to share this with you all; particularly those who may
be receiving a new dog from Seeing Eye sometime this year. Take care and
have a great day. Here is the information:


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Newsletter The Seeing Eye" <news at seeingeye.org>
To: "TSE Subscriber" <news at seeingeye.org>
Sent: Thursday, January 11, 2007 9:21 AM
Subject: Seeing Eye offers microchipping


Beginning with the first class of 2007, The Seeing Eye is providing
students the option of having their dogs implanted with the HomeAgain
microchip before leaving class. This service is offered at a cost of
$8.25 by The Seeing Eye's veterinary staff during the final vet visit.
The microchipping is optional and only available to current students in
training with their dogs.

Microchipping provides an extra form of identification for dogs, but
unlike tags worn around the neck, the microchip cannot get lost.

"We have decided to offer this service as a courtesy to our graduates,"
says Dr. Dolores Holle, director of Canine Health. "Due to the increase
in frequency of international travel, we want to ensure our graduates
are receiving the correct microchip required for travel in most
international communities."

The HomeAgain microchip is the size of a grain of rice and contains the
dog's identification number. The graduate registers that number with
HomeAgain Pet Recovery Service. The microchip is implanted between the
dog's shoulder blades by use of a preloaded sterile syringe. The
procedure is virtually painless. Once activated, the chip is good for
life. The ID number can be read by a handheld scanner swiped over the
dog's shoulders, then provided to HomeAgain in order to return the dog
to its owner. Studies have shown this to be a safe and effective way of
identification. Some countries now require that dogs be microchipped
before being allowed to cross their borders.

The normal registration fee is waived when the enrollment form is
accompanied by a letter certifying the dog as an assistance animal. It
will be the responsibility of the students to enroll their dogs with
HomeAgain. The Seeing Eye will charge students only the cost of the chip
itself.

Whether graduates choose to have their dogs microchipped or not, it is
still strongly encouraged they have an identification tag on the dog's
collar. Microchipping does not take the place of the ear tattoo or
collar tag. If a graduate is considering traveling abroad, we also
recommend they check with the consulate of the country they are visiting
to learn about the proper bloodwork and paperwork required in addition
to the microchip.

Teresa Davenport
Communications Director




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Peter Donahue