Small Animal Hospital in the same place since 1925

The Glendale Small Animal Hospital, which opened in 1925, still stands at the same place where it began, one of the few veterinary hospitals remaining in its original location.

When George W. Blanche opened the hospital at 831 Milford St., it was the largest veterinary hospital around, according to a story published in the Glendale News-Press on April 5, 1967. Soon after, Blanche added an ambulance service.

One day, a young boy brought his dog in to see the veterinarian. Inspired by Blanche’s care for his pet, that young boy decided that when he grew up, he would follow in the doctor’s footsteps and also become a veterinarian. More about him a little later.

Meanwhile, in 1931, Daniel A. Adler joined Blanche as an associate. Adler, a Burbank High graduate, had attended Washington State University’s Veterinary Medicine School, driving back and forth to Pullman, Wash., in his Model T car. He graduated in 1931.

“He was known for his gentle nature and kindness with clients and their beloved pets. It was not unusual for him to tend to an animal’s needs free of charge for folks who were unable to pay for services,” is a quote about him from an undated obituary obtained from Special Collections.

The hospital grew rapidly and was enlarged and modernized. In 1937, the 12th anniversary of the founding, Blanche announced that Adler would join him as a co-owner, and that one of the doctors would be on duty from 7 to 8:30 p.m. every night except Sunday, in addition to regular hours. Adler ultimately became the sole owner, practicing on Milford Street for 38 years.

Now, back to the young boy who brought his pet dog in to see Blanche. His name was Burton C. Roe, and by this time, Roe had graduated from Glendale High, earned his veterinarian degree from UC Davis, and was ready to take over the small-animal hospital he had patronized in his youth. He bought the practice from Roe in 1966.

Kenneth Barnes, who came to the area in 1965 with his wife, Tanya, joined the practice shortly thereafter and partnered with Roe for about 10 years, according to the News-Press in an issue dated Sept. 21, 1987. (Later, Barnes opened his own place on Arden Avenue.) The two doctors set out to bring the hospital up to date, adding equipment for regular and emergency medical services, and, to eliminate stressful encounters between different animals in the waiting room, creating two new areas, one for dogs, one for cats. They also installed a music system, providing soothing strains of music to calm the animals during and after treatments and eliminate the usual turmoil, noted the 1967 News-Press.

In 1973, Tanveer Hussain, the son and grandson of veterinarians, earned his degree in veterinary science from the University of Agriculture in Fasialabad, Pakistan. The next year, the third-generation veterinarian came to the United States and two years later began working with Roe while preparing for his licensing exam. He passed in 1978.

“At that point, Dr. Roe offered me a job as an associate. which I gladly accepted,” Hussain said.

By 1982, Hussain was the sole owner. Joycelyn Quan joined the practice in 1988 and 10 years later became a partner. Other doctors have also worked at the practice over the years, Hussain noted.

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Katherine Yamada’s column runs every other Friday. To contact her, call features editor Joyce Rudolph at (818) 637-3241. For more information on Glendale’s history visit the Glendale Historical Society’s web page: https://www.glendalehistorical.org; call the reference desk at the Central Library at (818) 548-2027; or visit the Special Collections Room at Central on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m. or make an appointment by calling (818) 548-2037.

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To the Readers: When Dr. Kenneth Barnes opened Arden Small Animal Hospital in 1975 he decorated the facility on Arden Avenue with artwork donated by his friend Barbara Boyd, who had a large collection of art in her home. Boyd had a particular interest in animals as she curated the Glendale Public Library’s acquisition of feline-related items. Known as the “Cat Collection,” it is one of the largest and best resources for feline research, especially domestic cats (both purebred and alley), according to the library’s website. A donation from the Jewel City Cat Club formed the basis of the collection, which includes feline stud books dating back to the early 1900s.

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