Canine Center Introduce
For dog owners in Lake Villa, Illinois, and the surrounding communities, finding a veterinary practice that is truly dedicated to the unique needs of canines is essential. Canine Center, an esteemed animal hospital led by Dr. Christina Barcus, is that place. Our practice is built on a singular focus: providing high-quality, compassionate care exclusively for dogs. We believe that by specializing in canine health, we can offer a level of expertise and understanding that is unmatched. From the moment you walk through our doors, you’ll find a clean, calm, and welcoming environment designed with your dog's comfort in mind. Our entire staff, from our knowledgeable technicians to Dr. Barcus herself, shares a genuine love for dogs and a commitment to their well-being. We understand that your dog is a beloved member of your family, and we strive to be a trusted partner in their health journey, providing everything from routine preventative care to advanced medical treatments. We are passionate about proactive health and believe in a collaborative approach, working closely with you to create a tailored care plan for your specific dog. Whether you have a playful puppy, a competitive agility dog, or a senior companion, Canine Center is dedicated to helping them live their healthiest, happiest life. We invite you to experience the difference a specialized, dog-focused practice can make for your cherished pet.
Canine Center is conveniently located at 34740 N. US Hwy 45, Lake Villa, IL 60046, USA, making us a central and easily accessible option for dog owners throughout Lake County and beyond. We understand that a trip to the vet can be stressful, which is why we’ve designed our facility with your comfort and convenience in mind. Our location is equipped with a wheelchair accessible entrance, a wheelchair accessible parking lot, and a wheelchair accessible restroom, ensuring that all clients can navigate our premises with ease. A clean and well-maintained restroom is also available for your use. To ensure we can provide the best possible care for your dog and minimize wait times, we recommend making an appointment. This allows our team to dedicate focused time to your pet, whether for a complete physical exam, a specific illness visit, or a surgical consultation. Our streamlined process and low-stress handling techniques are designed to make every visit as pleasant as possible. We are proud to serve the Lake Villa community and provide a dedicated, accessible space for all your dog's veterinary needs.
At Canine Center, we offer a comprehensive suite of veterinary services tailored specifically to dogs. Our expertise covers a wide range of medical needs, from routine wellness to specialized care for senior pets and sports injuries. Our team uses the latest technology and techniques to ensure the highest quality of care for your canine companion. Below is a detailed list of the services we provide:
Veterinary Services:
- Complete Physical Exam and Wellness Care
- Vaccines, with a risk assessment to determine the appropriate vaccines for your dog
- Puppy Visits, offering guidance on raising a healthy puppy
- Illness & Injury Visits, including for Acute Injury
- Full Medical and Surgical Care
- Soft Tissue Surgeries and Tumor Removal
- Laser Surgery and Therapy Laser for pain management, healing, and chronic conditions
- Pain Evaluation and Management with various Pain Medications
- Geriatric Care and care for Senior Dogs
- Arthritis Management, including Joint Injections
- Physical Therapy
- Sports Medicine
- Alternative Treatments, such as Chiropractic Adjustments and Stem Cell Therapy
- Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) treatments
- Nutritional Counseling and Meal Plans for weight management and specific diseases
- Allergies diagnosis and treatment
- Low Stress Handling & Behavior Modification techniques
- Refill Prescriptions
- Fecal Sample testing
- International & Domestic Health Certificates
- Progressive Anesthetic techniques
Canine Center is distinguished by several key features and highlights that set us apart as a premier veterinary clinic for dogs in the Illinois region. Our commitment to specialized care, advanced treatments, and a positive, low-stress environment is what makes our practice truly exceptional. We believe in going above and beyond the standard veterinary services to provide a truly holistic approach to your dog's health. Here are some of the key features and highlights that make us a top choice for dog owners:
Features and Highlights:
- Dog-Exclusive Care: Our singular focus on canines allows us to have a deep and specialized understanding of their specific needs, from breed-specific health issues to behavior.
- Advanced Therapeutic Options: We offer cutting-edge treatments like Laser Therapy, Stem Cell Therapy, and Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) to manage pain, accelerate healing, and treat a variety of conditions, giving your pet the best chance at recovery.
- Low Stress Handling: Our team is trained in Low Stress Handling techniques and Behavior Modification to make every visit as comfortable and stress-free as possible for your dog.
- Comprehensive Geriatric Care: We are particularly dedicated to the health of Senior Dogs, offering specialized Geriatric Care to help manage chronic conditions and ensure they are comfortable and happy in their later years.
- Sports Medicine Expertise: With a focus on Sports Medicine, we are equipped to handle injuries and performance-related issues for active dogs, helping them get back to their favorite activities safely.
- Client-Centered Approach: We believe owners are a vital part of the healthcare team. We take the time to fully explain all treatment options, empowering you to make the best decisions for your dog.
- Clean and Welcoming Environment: The clinic is meticulously clean and designed to be a calming place for dogs, with a team that is consistently described as kind, attentive, and caring.
- Accessibility: Our facility is fully accessible, with a Wheelchair accessible entrance, parking lot, and restroom, demonstrating our commitment to serving all members of our community.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, you can contact Canine Center directly. We are located at 34740 N. US Hwy 45, Lake Villa, IL 60046, USA. You can reach us by phone at (847) 986-3644 or via mobile at +1 847-986-3644. We recommend calling to book a Scheduled Appointment to ensure we can provide your dog with the dedicated care they deserve. We look forward to welcoming you and your canine companion to our practice.
Choosing a veterinarian for your dog is a crucial decision, and for residents of Lake Villa and the surrounding Illinois communities, Canine Center is a practice truly worth choosing. Our dedicated focus on dogs alone is a significant advantage. This specialization means that our entire team—from Dr. Barcus to the technicians—possesses a depth of knowledge about canine health, behavior, and medicine that is unparalleled. We are not a general practice; we are an animal hospital with a specific expertise in what makes dogs tick. Clients consistently praise Dr. Barcus's vast knowledge, noting her ability to explain complex treatments and her commitment to staying current on the newest therapies. This is particularly valuable for senior dogs or those with chronic conditions like arthritis and cancer, where we offer advanced treatments such as Laser Therapy and Stem Cell Therapy to improve their quality of life. The compassionate and caring nature of our staff is also a recurring theme in client reviews. They create a warm and welcoming atmosphere where dogs love to visit, reducing the stress often associated with vet visits. We believe in a collaborative approach to health, empowering you with information and options to make the best decisions for your pet. This focus on communication and partnership is what builds the lasting trust that our clients feel. Furthermore, our use of Low Stress Handling techniques ensures that your dog's emotional well-being is considered alongside their physical health. When you choose Canine Center, you are choosing a team that is not only highly skilled but also genuinely passionate about dogs, treating each one with the kindness and respect they deserve.
Canine Center Services
Veterinarian
- Acute Injury
- Allergies
- Alternative Treatments
- Arthritis Management
- Chiropractic Adjustments
- Complete Physical Exam
- Emergency Information
- Fecal Sample
- Full Medical
- Geriatric Care
- Illness & Injury
- Illness & Injury Visits
- International & Domestic Health Certificates
- Joint Injections
- Laser Surgery
- Laser Therapy
- Low Stress Handling
- Low Stress Handling & Behavior Modification
- Meal Plans
- Nutritional Counseling
- Pain Evaluation
- Pain Management
- Pain Medications
- Pet Health
- Physical Therapy
- Platelet Rich Plasma
- Progressive Anesthetic
- Puppy Visits
- Refill Prescriptions
- Scheduled Appointments
- Senior Dogs
- Soft Tissue Surgeries
- Sports Medicine
- Stem Cell Therapy
- Surgery & Dental Services
- Surgical Laser
- Therapy Laser
- Therapy Therapy
- Tumor Removal
- Vaccines
- Veterinary Services
- Weight Management
Canine Center Details
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Amenities
- Restroom
Planning
- Appointments recommended
Canine Center Photos










Canine Center Location
Canine Center Reviews
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★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1We love the Canine Center! Dr. Barcus and the entire staff of technicians are so wonderful. Carmella and Clementine love going to the vet to see them. The clinic is clean, everyone is so kind and attentive, and you can tell they really care about the dogs so much. I am grateful to have Canine Center providing care for my girls (and our sweet angel Colby).
April 01 · Courtney QuigleyDr 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!
July 04 · Tricia FurchDr. Barcus is compassionate, knowledgeable, and no-nonsense, just what I look for in a Veterinarian. The staff, too, is friendly and helpful. The entire team always takes great care of my dog. They just genuinely care about my pet’s health.
September 19 · Dace OlsonWe’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.
February 17 · LLCC 1Dr. Barkus and her staff are amazing. They talk about the personal side of owning a pet. She brings in her own experiences and lets you know what to expect. We have only been there twice, but so far our puppy wags her tail going in and going out. Thank you.
September 20 · Alisa Kronshage
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