One possible embodiment could be a self-defense walking stick and a process of operating same, the stick comprising of a shaft having two ends, a first end and a second end; a grip having a body with a top end and a bottom end, the top end having a top aperture connected to a top open-ended channel, the bottom end having a bottom aperture connected to a bottom open-ended channel that receives the first end of the shaft; an aerosol irritant dispensing canister comprising of a pressurized cylinder of irritant connected to activating and dispensing mechanisms, wherein a portion of the canister is retained within the top open-ended channel to expose the activating and dispensing mechanisms above the top end; and a tip connecting to the second end to interact with a surface of a ground being traversed by the operator using the stick.