Yankee Dog

09/02/2026

Tooth and tongue exam! Some really fun training with Oxidogcin!

08/18/2026

Yes! This.

“What’s your favorite animal?

“A dog”

“That’s not an animal!”

Yes. Yes it is.

I am not sure why dogs seem to be the only ones faced with this problem, but every single day I find myself reminding people that a dog is an ANIMAL.

They are animals. A species all on their own. They are not human, even though yes they are sentient beings and capable of problem solving, emotions and so much more, they are still an animal.

They aren’t programmable, and they can’t just morph into whatever we want them to be simply because it’s just not convenient for our lives. For some reason, they are the only creatures I see us humans struggle with this concept. We don’t expect cats to love baths, nail trims, visitors. Other domestic animals we still treat as animals too, no one calls me about the horse they have in their living room kicking holes in the wall, or their guinea pigs and parrot not liking the vet. But dogs? If they do not fit exactly into what we have decided is acceptable and perfect, it’s a problem.

But sometimes it’s not a problem, it’s just an animal. When did we lose sight of that? WE are also animals. We resource guard, get defensive, don’t like restraint, get anxious in public etc etc.

We bring these animals into our homes and often strip them of up to 75% (sometimes more) of their abilities to do normal animal stuff, yet think our beautiful homes and fenced yards and custom beds and vet care and daily food make up for it. Then, when the animal still behaves like an animal, often with traits and behaviors we wanted BEFORE our modern lifestyle changes, we look at them as defective, problematic or in need of “fixing”

They. Are. ANIMALS.

They deserve to be treated and respected as such. There’s nothing wrong with spoiling them with modern day conveniences if you still stay true to understanding that they need more than that to thrive. Training? Yes of course training helps bridge the gap of understanding and skill building needed to survive our world, but again, it doesn’t replace basic animal instincts and behaviors. That’s what life with an animal means. Accepting this doesn’t make them less, it means we view them as MORE than just there for our needs.

- Helen St. Pierre

07/18/2026

Dr. Chris Pachel, DVM, DACVB, joins Dr. Andy Roark to tackle a problem every clinic knows too well, stressed pets, stressed owners, and appointments that start going sideways before the car even leaves the driveway. They dig into pre-visit pharmaceuticals beyond the usual gabapentin and trazodone, i

07/01/2026

Summer classes! Please email to enroll Agility Foundations class is full, but we have many fun things to do with your dog!

05/26/2026

We will miss you forever, Fly high and free Sophers.

05/07/2026

04/15/2026

Spring Classes forming! Stay tuned for agility classes! Please email for info or registration!!