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
Susan J. Tyson VMD, MS, DABVP (Avian Practice)
Susan J Tyson, VMD, MS, DABVP (Avian) is a board-certified avian specialist and veterinary leader with a deep passion for both exceptional patient care and the people who make that care possible. She has dedicated her career to advancing exotic animal medicine while building thoughtful, sustainable veterinary teams.
Raised surrounded by wildlife—caring for birds and exploring creeks near her family’s home—Dr. Tyson developed an early curiosity about animals and the natural world that shaped her lifelong path in veterinary medicine. That sense of wonder continues to inform a career grounded in compassion, persistence, and continuous learning.
Dr. Tyson is the founder of the first and only exotics-only veterinary clinic in the city of Philadelphia, creating a vital resource for birds and other non-traditional companion animals. As a Diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (Avian), she brings advanced clinical expertise, precision, and curiosity to her work, paired with a practical, empathetic approach that clients and colleagues deeply value.
Beyond the exam room, Dr. Tyson is committed to mentoring veterinary professionals, supporting nursing staff, and developing systems that allow practices to thrive without burning out the people behind them. She believes that excellent medicine and healthy workplace culture are inseparable.
Outside of practice, Susan is a mother of two energetic children who keep her grounded, curious, and laughing. Balancing family life with the demands of veterinary medicine has shaped her leadership style—empathetic, flexible, and rooted in real life. Their home is shared with a lively mix of feathered and scaled family members, an environment that keeps animals at the center of daily life. She finds balance through exercise, time with family and friends, and staying connected to nature and water, while drawing inspiration from the creativity and rhythm of city life in Philadelphia.
Jessica Basseches DVM, DACVR
Dr. Basseches started out in the humanities but then realized that her heart belonged to animals and medicine. She changed paths in order to obtain her veterinary degree from NCSU CVM in 2003. Subsequently, she performed a private practice internship in Florida, followed by a residency in radiology at the University of Georgia, finishing up in 2007. She worked as a staff radiologist at Angell Animal Medical Center (MSPCA) in Boston for five years before traveling to the southern hemisphere as a locum radiologist, having the opportunity to work with a diverse range of species in varied and fabulous environments. When she came back to the United States, she moved to the Philadelphia area and worked at CARES for over 7 years.
She has also started her own independent radiology practice, Lucid Veterinary Imaging, providing radiology and ultrasound services to small animal hospitals in the area. She finds exotic radiology beautiful and grooves on the many facets of diagnostic imaging, getting to participate in almost all of the cases in the hospital and feeling like a critical part of the team helping our patients.
Dr. Basseches loves being out of doors as much as possible and in almost any capacity (an antidote to days spent in the dark), enjoys both teaching and learning, frolicking with her dogs and partner, running and hiking, critical thinking, resisting oppression, science fiction and creative vegetarian cooking of the bounty from her garden.
Kenneth Dazen VMD, Diplomate ABVP, Board Certified in Avian Medicine
Dr. Dazen received his Bachelor's degree in Animal Bioscience from Penn State University in 1981 and his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine in 1986 from the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Dazen joined a select group of individuals when he became a board certified Diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners, specializing in Avian Practice, in 2000.
His special interests include avian internal medicine, avian clinical nutrition, and senior pet bird care.
Dr. Dazen is a Diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners, a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, New Jersey and Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Associations, Association of Avian Veterinarians, and the Veterinary Information Network.
Dr. Dazen and his wife, Anne, have been married since 1985. He has two sons, Kevin and Cody. He enjoys sports, golfing, traveling and spending time with his family.
Amy Wilhelm DVM
