Canine Center

Dr Barcus and staff are great. I'm so happy we found Canine Center. Dr. Barcus is beyond knowledgeable on the newest treatments and fully explains options. We're so grateful for her help in treating our dog in her senior years and making Gracie (and us) comfortable after her cancer diagnosis. I wish we had found Canine Center sooner!

posted: 07/04/2023

Love this place! Very clean, warm & welcoming. My dog is happy to enter through the door! Dr. Barcus is great at explaining everything in ways that I understand. Their tech, Lexi is awesome too!

posted: 08/24/2023

We are new to IL and I have a GSD. Dilly loves going to the vet and they have been really great with her there. They let her be herself, and she does well with them.

posted: 05/01/2023

We have been going to Canine Center for many years and they have taken care of our dogs from infancy to senior. The care and understanding that is shown by the doctor and all her staff is wonderful. The doctor takes the time to explain diagnoses, procedures and medications so that the client understands the treatment their best friend is receiving. We love that Canine Center does not recommend unnecessary treatments or vaccinations for conditions our pups would never encounter, and the doctor has always been open an honest about the effectiveness of any recommended procedures. Prices for treatment and prescriptions are very reasonable and you can be sure you'll receive any available promotions or manufacturer's discounts on products. The doctor is passionate about dogs as you can see when you first walk into the clinic in Lake Villa, and she is always researching the best for our canine friends. You can find her name on web pages, studies, papers and publications penned over the last 25 years, from Tufts University, to specific breed clubs, dog nutrition, exercise, agility training, and canine enrichment programs and activities. Early morning, evening and weekend appointments are available which fits wonderfully with our busy schedule, and they have accommodated emergency appointments during office hours when our pups have needed them.

posted: 12/07/2022

We’ve been going to the Canine Center since it opened in 2005. My husband and I have the highest respect and are so thankful for Dr. Barcus and her staff Cheryl, Michele and Lexi. This past Saturday, I left a message before hours to see if we could bring our loving german shepherd, Nikki, in for diagnosis. She had gone from an active, healthy, 10-year-old to a lethargic pup and had collapsed late the night before. Cheryl called back before they opened and said I should bring her over asap. We arrived shortly after 8 a.m. and the entire staff was on hand waiting to help. Within a short period of time, Dr. Barcus shared her thoughts on a diagnosis and it was the worst we could have imagined – hemangiosarcoma and the spleen had ruptured. We were devasted and in shock. She offered a thorough explanation of the disease, information on treatment and prognosis so we could make our decisions. Dr. Barcus and her staff spent well over 2 hours (on a busy Saturday morning) tending to Nikki, myself and my husband. In the end we decided that putting Nikki to rest was the best decision for her. It was also the hardest decision we’ve ever made. Our beloved pup who had just been her spunky self hours before was no longer going to be a part of our every day life. Again, the staff came to the rescue and allowed us to spend as long as we wanted with Nikki in a beautiful, peaceful, private room. Every single one of them was attentive, compassionate and empathetic to Nikki and our situation. Thank-you all for your time, your kindness, your knowledge and for everything you did for us yesterday morning. I can’t imagine being with anyone else or being anywhere else during such a difficult time. You are all truly the best.

posted: 02/17/2019