Dr. Stacy Rourke, DVM at Guardian Animal Clinic

11/06/2025

CLOSED - Saturday, November 8

In case of emergency, please contact Diley Hill Animal Emergency Center at 614-829-6444, 9695 Basil Western Rd. Canal Wi******er.

10/14/2025

💕🐶

10/03/2025

CLOSED - Saturday, October 4 due to parking lot renovations.

In case of emergency, please contact Diley Hill Animal Emergency Center at 614-829-6444, 9695 Basil Western Rd. Canal Wi******er.

10/02/2025

10/01/2025

Thank you Jane, from all the animals. RIP

09/25/2025

💕🤣

09/23/2025

DISTRACTED DOG WALKERS

The distracted dog walker is commonly seen chatting on their cell phone, wearing headphones or socializing with other people while oblivious to what their dog is doing, how their dog is feeling or what is going on in the environment.

This may not sound like a problem, but it is something that many of us have a problem with, even more so if we have a reactive, sensitive dog.

I always compare walking a dog to driving a car. It’s not so much about our driving skills, but having to constantly be aware of the driving skills of others – trying to predict what they will do, which rules of the road they will ignore and how distracted they are. This is especially true in the country I live in, where driving can be a really stressful experience.

I understand that we often need to multi task – there simply doesn’t seem to be enough time in our day to accomplish everything we need to, but walking our dogs should not be one of these times.

Some may say – “but my dog is really friendly, well socialized, gets on well with everyone, is well trained, knows this environment well etc. and I hear that. But another dog might not be – maybe they need space, are reactive, sensitive, selectively social, have health issues, might be terrified of another dog racing straight towards them chasing a ball thrown from a ball launcher etc.

If distracted dog walkers have no regard for other dogs or other people, they should at least have regard for their own dogs.

Walking your dog should be a time of bonding, of connecting, of seeing the environment through the eyes of your dog, of reinforcing and rewarding wanted behaviours, of keeping them safe and protected.

Our dogs need us to be focused, to pay attention, to be aware and attentive. Our dogs depend on us to advocate for them.

09/19/2025

Something to brighten your day

09/13/2025

😊

Wednesday, September 17, at 12:00 pm

09/11/2025

On September 11, 2001, as chaos unfolded in the North Tower of the World Trade Center, a guide dog named Roselle became an unexpected hero. She calmly led her blind owner, Michael Hingson, and a group of over 30 people down 78 flights of stairs to safety. Despite the smoke, noise, and confusion, Roselle remained focused and composed, helping others stay calm simply by her presence.

During the descent, Roselle paused only once, to comfort a woman having a panic attack. She gently nuzzled and kissed her, offering reassurance in the most human way a dog could. Her quiet strength and unwavering loyalty helped transform fear into courage, allowing the group to continue their escape even as the building trembled around them.

Roselle’s actions that day became a symbol of trust, training, and the extraordinary bond between guide dogs and their handlers. She continued to serve until 2007 and passed away in 2011, but her legacy lives on as a reminder that heroism can come on four paws, with a wagging tail and a heart full of love.

09/09/2025

I NEED TO BE NOSY!

There are so many benefits in creating activities that allow dogs to use their strongest sense – the sense of scent or smell.

Although dogs have an incredible ability to scent, so many dogs are never given the opportunity to use this sense in a way that’s meaningful to them.

We often expect our dogs to conform to our very visual and verbal human world, neglecting the fact that they largely perceive the world through scent.

The picture in this post is my eldest Schnauzer, Sophie. At 12-years-old, one of her favourite things to do is to find hidden treasures in empty boxes stuffed with balls of paper containing tiny treats. She will then proceed to shred the box into pieces, just in case she missed anything!

Yes, it makes a mess and has to be cleaned up, but being able to watch her sense of enjoyment, purpose, achievement and the calmness and relaxation she feels afterwards, is priceless.

I believe that scenting activities for dogs should be considered an essential need. It really doesn’t have to be difficult, time consuming or expensive.

Scent work is especially beneficial to dogs that may be nervous, fearful, lack confidence, are reactive, have big feelings or are high energy. It gives them a “job” to do in a world where they often have no outlets to fulfil this very natural, biological need.

Provide opportunities for your dog to be “nosy”, it really will make a difference to their wellbeing.