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, DABVP (Avian Practice)

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.

Female with short brown hair wearing a blue button up shirt over a black tshirt

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.

Male Veterinarian holding a parrot on his right hand

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.

Female veterinarian holding a large brown rabbit

Amy Wilhelm DVM

Dr. Wilhelm did her undergraduate studies at the University of Delaware and veterinary school at University of Missouri. After veterinary school she completed a 1-year small animal rotating internship at a veterinary hospital in New Jersey. She has experience with raptor rehabilitation, worked with native animals in South Africa, and studied abroad at the University of Edinburgh's veterinary college. Her favorite part of veterinary medicine is the medicine aspect itself, working to put together clinical signs and diagnostics to treat our pets. Outside of medicine, Dr. Wilhelm enjoys traveling with her family, doing jigsaw puzzles, and watching movies.

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

Originally from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Alexis brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to her role as Lead Veterinary Nurse. With years of experience working exclusively in exotic animal medicine, she has become a trusted expert in the care of birds, reptiles, small mammals, and more.

Alexis earned her Bachelor’s degree in Forensic Science from Chestnut Hill College, where she developed a meticulous eye for detail—an asset that has translated seamlessly into her veterinary career. She
currently leads our nursing team with dedication and compassion, serving not only as Head Nurse, but also as our Inventory Manager, Training Coordinator, and a vital member of our administrative team.

Her commitment to the field extends beyond the clinic. Alexis regularly attends exotic veterinary conferences and has become a lecturer herself, sharing her specialized knowledge with fellow veterinary professionals across the country. Her passion for education and mentorship continues to elevate the standard of exotic animal care in the wider veterinary community.

At home in Philadelphia, Alexis shares her life with a vibrant collection of animal companions, including her three beloved cats—Butter, Titan, and Kiwi—two charismatic tarantulas named Charlotte and Spinderella, a banana ball python name Levi, and an albino cockatiel called Walter White.

With her unique background, tireless dedication, and deep love for exotics, Alexis is an essential part of our team and a leading voice in the field of exotic veterinary nursing.

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.

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.

Luca, Client Services and Veterinary Assistant

Luca - veterinary assistant holding a reptile

Luca received a BFA in Art Education at Arcadia University, but their focus soon pivoted to conservation education when they started working at Adventure Aquarium. Getting to teach thousands of people everyday about conserving oceans and habitats in order to protect the animals we love was incredibly fulfilling. They also volunteered with the bird and mammal husbandry team, caring for a wide range of animals including hippos, various penguin species, small mammals, reptiles, and parrots.

Their favorite animals are little blue penguins and pigeons, and they love being a reptile dad to their beloved crested gecko Pumpkin. They can’t wait to grow a bigger family of exotic pets in the future!