Get to Know Our Team of Exotic Pet Professionals in Philadelphia, PA

When it comes to devoted and enthusiastic care for exotic pets, you won't find a better team than Dr. Susan Tyson and her fellow animal lovers. We're all about guiding you through the complexities of your pet's healthcare needs while offering a comprehensive list of services to cater to those needs at each life phase. Our mission is straightforward: To help you and your unique pet enjoy as many joyful, healthy years as you can together.

We're eager to meet you and your exotic pet. Why not take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with our team? To set up an appointment, just call (215) 995-4049

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Susan J Tyson, VMD, MS

Dr. Tyson’s love for veterinary medicine began at a young age while she was growing up with caimans, parrots, dogs, cats, and turtles. She is a Philadelphia local with strong ties to Pennsauken, NJ. Dr. Tyson graduated from Rutgers, then received her master's at Drexel University's School of Medicine. Following graduation from The University of Pennsylvania Veterinary school in 2011, Dr. Tyson continued at Penn Vet as a focused exotics intern.

Currently, Dr. Tyson is a board member for Freedom Center for Wildlife and is the veterinarian for Hawk Mountain Sanctuary. She has experience with a wide range of species, and her main interests are avian, reptile, and wildlife medicine, surgery, ophthalmology, and dentistry. She has continued her work with exotics, focusing on managing advanced surgical and medical cases and supporting elderly and aging pets. She has a strong interest in managing arthritic rabbits, birds, and reptiles with multimodal pain management.

At home, Dr. Tyson and her kids have a menagerie of pets including elderly cats, two adorable cockatiels, a green-cheeked amazon called Goblin, an ornate and three-toed Mississippi Box turtle, a ball python, salamanders, tarantulas, isopods, and bearded dragons. In her free time Dr. Tyson enjoys outdoor activities, the Shore, sports, and the arts.

Katrina Bocchine, DVM

Dr. Bocchine has had an interest in species of all kinds from a young age. She owned small mammals as a child and has fond memories of catching frogs in her backyard with her dad and sisters. When she discovered that these animals need veterinarians specializing in their care, she knew exactly what career she wanted to pursue.

Dr. Bocchine earned her bachelor’s in animal science from Penn State University, then completed veterinary school at Purdue University. During her veterinary training, she assisted in developing the school’s first exotic animal conference focused on aquatic animals, amphibians and reptiles. Her post graduate training focused on exotic pets and zoological medicine, with a special interest in wound management and infectious diseases. Dr. Bocchine has experience caring for many different species including fish, venomous snakes, and birds of prey!

Dr. Bocchine is newly married and lives with her husband, their Jersey wooly/dwarf rabbit and guinea pig. Outside of the clinic, she loves spending time with family, breakfast for dinner and staying active!

Support Staff

Goblin, Mascot

Goblin is a green-cheeked amazon parrot. He has minimal education but lots of on-the-job experience, including:

Supervising the human staff members
Babysitting doc and the little humans at home
Owning countless pets at home (including 2 turtles, 1 snake, 1 quail, 2 cats, 2 cockatiels, and 3 tarantulas)

Goblin is 19 years young (as of 2023) and enjoys greeting new friends, taking strolls along the fireplace, foraging for snacks, riding with doc to work, and chanting “oh boy oh boy oh boy.” He also loves doing the EAGLES chant.

Alexis, Head Nurse, Surgery, Training and Inventory

Alexis has a Bachelor of Science degree in forensic biology and has worked as a pet care specialist and nurse to dogs, cats, and various exotic pet species. She loves all kinds of animals and has a diverse family of pets at home to prove it! Alexis has three cats named Kiwi, Butter, and Titan, a ball python named Levi, a baby hognose snake named Linguine, a pink-toed tarantula named Charlotte, and a scorpion named Phoenix. When she isn’t working Alexis enjoys spending time with her pets, taking care of her plants, going to concerts and music festivals, and doing all kinds of outdoor activities.

Venice, Virtual Administrative Assistant

Venice's journey in the field of veterinary medicine began in 1994, and she has since accumulated a wealth of experience and expertise in various aspects of pet care. She has held a range of roles, starting from general practice and emergency care and eventually specializing in exotic animals over the last 11 years. Her dedication and compassion have made her an invaluable member of the veterinary team.

One of Venice's distinctive passions is client education. She recognizes the importance of informing and guiding pet owners in understanding how to provide the best care for their animals. Her commitment to educating clients helps foster a stronger bond between pet owners and their furry, feathered, or scaled companions, ultimately contributing to the well-being of the animals under her care.

Outside of her professional life, Venice shares her home with a diverse group of rescued pets. Her two rescue dogs, Bentley Bean (a Schnauzer- Cairn terrier mix) and Lola Lemon (a yorkie), as well as her cat Mr. Jingles and her beloved cockatiel Cooter, all find comfort and care under her roof. This reflects her genuine love for animals and her dedication to providing them with safe and loving homes.

Venice and her husband lead an active life together, They take pleasure in attending local wine festivals, where they can savor various wines and immerse themselves in the festive atmosphere. Live music is another passion they share, as they enjoy the experience of live performances and the energy of the crowd.

Madison, Nurse

Madison grew up knowing exactly what she wanted to do with her life, and it always included animals of all shapes and sizes! Madison has four years emergency and critical care experience with species from dogs and cats to ferrets and bearded dragons, and so much more! Her favorite type of exotic animals are reptiles, and she has several at home that Madison and her partner, Kailey, enjoy caring for. Some of them include bearded dragons, red tail boas, and crested geckos! And you can’t forget about their four cats and four dogs, and of course, their rat Arnold. On her free time, Madison enjoys going for hikes, going to the gym, painting, and spending time at home with Kailey. She is currently working towards achieving her CVT, and following that, her VTS in Exotic Companion Animals. She is looking forward to growing with AEPV and caring for all your fury and scaly loved ones!

Nikki, CVT Nurse

Nikki has been an avid animal lover since before she could walk or talk, always knowing she’d end up in the veterinary field. She has an associates degree in veterinary technology as well as a bachelors degree in zoo science. Her experience ranges from general practice, research, zoo medicine and even education as an adjunct professor for her Alma mater. She owns a small menagerie of special needs animals including Blanche the Samoyed, Jinx the German Shepherd, Levi the cat, Pleakley the conure, Hei Hei the cockatiel, and Dr. Hamsterviel the chinchilla. In her spare time she likes to work with various art forms, cook and bake, and travel.

Lisbeth, Nurse

In May 2024, Lisbeth achieved her Associate in Veterinary Technology. For two years, she managed the care, maintenance, inventory, and educational training of five horses and one pony. After her externships at several veterinary hospitals, she became interested in animal behavior, exotics, and physical therapy. Lisbeth is aiming for her certification in veterinary technology and to get involved with travel surgical teams to combat animal overpopulation.

In her freetime, she enjoys different forms of entertainment such as film, photography, music, and outdoor activities. Lisbeth has 1 chatty and curious tuxedo cat named Musa. His favorite pastimes include carrying toys around the house and chasing lasers.

Lisbeth is delighted to be a part of the Avian & Exotic Philly Vet team and looks forward to seeing the patients that come in each day!

Ashlan, Nurse

Ashlan holds a certification in Zoo and Aquarium Science from the Animal Behavior Institute and has been working with animals for almost a decade. While she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Vocal Performance and has done much in the world of musical performance, her true passion has always been animals. She has been a pet caregiver since high school, a foster parent to over twenty cats and kittens, and an employee of the Philadelphia Zoo. She has been a proud member of the Philadelphia Zoo’s Conservation Education team and interned in animal care with the Philly Zoo’s “KidsZooU.”

Ashlan loves animals of all shapes and sizes, especially her critters at home. She has four cats (Merry, Pippin, Luthien and Eggs), one Shetland sheepdog (Goldberry) and a corn snake (Clementine).

When not working with animals, Ashlan enjoys crocheting, directing musicals, reading, and lots of nerdy hobbies.

Ren, Nurse

Swapping textile engineering and graphic design tools for a stethoscope and stopwatch, Ren changed her attention to veterinary medicine at the end of 2018 to work for a feline-specific practice. Lover of all animals, Ren joined team Avian and Exotic at the start of 2024 to broaden her technician skills and expand her purview to domestic exotics. Keen on proper handling and husbandry, she is excited to engage with you regarding your animal's health and wellbeing! Always maintaining a focus on veterinary medicine, she hopes one day to work with large exotics and wildlife conservation.

Katie, Nurse

Katie Corris, female veterinary nurse with long hair holding a white and gray rabbit

Katie is a dedicated veterinary nurse with six years of experience and a deep passion for exotic animals, having worked in the field for a decade. She began her career in wildlife rehabilitation and later graduated from Delaware Valley University with a Bachelor of Science in Conservation and Wildlife Management. She is a proud "fur mom" to three beloved pets: Banjo, a mixed-breed dog, and Bean and Basil, her two tabby cats. If she were an animal, Katie would be a Pionus parrot. She is especially excited about creating a welcoming and supportive environment for both clients and patients, ensuring they feel comfortable and cared for in every visit.

CC, Veterinary Assistant

CC graduated from UCLA in 2019 with a Bachelors of Arts in Geography. While serving for the Peace Corps in Guatemala, CC realized she wanted to be part of the solution to stray animal overpopulation, and began her career in veterinary medicine shortly after. Since starting out as a customer service representative, CC has continued to grow and learn within the field- working as a veterinary assistant and most recently earning her “technician” title with dogs and cats.

CC works as a veterinary assistant at Avian Exotic Philly Vet. Currently she is completing pre-requisite courses in preparation for applying to vet school. She shares her life with a 9-pound rat terrier-chihuahua mix named Phoebe whose favorite words are “do you want a yummy?!” CC also fosters cats through several local rescues. In her free time, she enjoys reading, crocheting and learning.

Evan, Veterinary Assistant

After spending years cutting and coloring hair, Evan hoped to find a way to take his skills into his lifelong passion... Helping animals! He started in 2022 as an assistant at a cat and dog practice in northern Virginia. After moving to the city, he has been very excited to find his path forward learning so much from the team, and helping his new avian and exotic friends! He hopes to learn enough to help educate others, and to do his best to take great care of our fluffy, feathery, and scaley companions!

When he isn't at work, Evan enjoys playing music, practicing his instruments, drawing, and traveling!

Sierrarose, Veterinary Assistant

Sierrarose graduated from Pennsylvania State University in 2024 with a Bachelor's in Art, driven by her passion for incorporating animals into her artwork. From a young age, programs like Animal Planet and Zoboomafoo sparked her fascination with wildlife. Growing up with a diverse array of pets—including dogs, cats, hermit crabs, hamsters, fish, mice, and lizards—she gained extensive experience in caring for both domestic and exotic animals. Sierrarose is dedicated to learning about animal behavior and mastering proper care techniques. When she’s not working, Sierrarose immerses herself in the companionship of her family’s Irish Field Setter, Sage, alongside their four cats—Barry, Mable, Trixie, and Sardine (also known as the Bean)—a large goldfish, and her two bearded dragons, Wylie and Juno. During her free time, she diligently cares for her pets, stays active, explores the city, and passionately creates paintings inspired by her imaginative creatures.

Shae, Veterinary Assistant

Shae attended Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas (her hometown), and received her Bachelor of Science in Animal Science. During her junior year at SHSU, she completed an internship with the Houston Zoo, getting the opportunity to work with meerkats, Asian small-clawed river otters, a leopard tortoise, and many more species. This opportunity solidified Shae’s aspirations for working with animals.

Later, Shae spent a few years at the Wildlife Center of Texas as a wildlife care specialist, then as the wildlife center coordinator. From infant opossums to adult raptors, Shae helped triage and stabilize thousands of wildlife patients each year. When thriving again, she would then organize their releases through the center’s large network of thoughtful staff, volunteers, and donors.

After relocating to Philadelphia with her partner and their three dogs (Tilly, Goose, and Nugget), Shae is now a part of the Avian & Exotic Philly Vet team. She is so excited to make friends with her coworkers, clients, and patients.

Kaitlyn, Client Service Representative

female wearing a button up coat holding a pet bird on her hand

Kaitlyn has a Bachelor’s degree in illustration from the University of the Arts and has been a resident of Philadelphia since 2005. Her eclectic work experience includes many years spent in the hospitality industry, apprenticing in the pet grooming industry and working as a scheduler in the pediatric dental field. She is new to the veterinary world! Kaitlyn fell in love with animals at a young age and tries to make friends with any critters that cross her path—whether that be bird, salamander or squirrel. Throughout her adult life she has owned a fire-bellied newt and two collie mixes. She has a soft spot for elderly pets. In her spare time, she enjoys painting animal illustrations and pet portraits, training Muay Thai and reading fantasy novels.

Kaitlyn is excited to be part of a work environment where she can help facilitate care as a customer service professional, while having the opportunity to learn as much as she can about the world of exotic animals.