I work with people experiencing homelessness and Dr. Tyson has donated her services to their animals whenever needed. She is always a professional and goes above and beyond with both their pets and in understanding their personal barriers such as mental health issues that require her to spend more time with them in explaining what she would like to work on with them and their pets. This has been and is an invaluable resource to help vulnerable people and their animals on their road to housing and thriving in community as emotional support and service animals require vaccinations and to be spayed and neutered to be with their owners in housing.
I wanted to write to acknowledge the incredible work this Foundation and Dr. Melissa Tyson does for the clients/residents of Union Station Homeless Services. Over the years, they have provided veterinary care and neutering services for pet owners who do not have homes themselves. These animals are often emotional support animals, service animals, and our clients closest family members. Due to financial and housing barriers, when they are faced with difficult choice of whether to meet their own needs or the needs of their animals, most of our clients will do whatever it takes to ensure their animals health and safety. What this nonprofit has done, is provide a third option and therefore greater dignity-whereas the services provided free of charge relieve the financial burden and allow the client and companion to continue on with increased physical and financial well-being. Thank you to this great nonprofit for making a huge difference in the lives of our mutual clients and their beloved companions!
Dr. Tyson and her staff took such excellent care of my mother’s standard poodle that she lived well into her thirteenth year—quite old for that particular kind of dog! And they were always so kind, the true test was that the dog was always happy to visit the vet, and would walk in wagging her tail, delighted to see her friends. Plus they would sometimes make special trips to my mother’s house to help with the dog, as my mother is very old herself and sometimes had difficulty with administering medication. It nearly broke my mother’s heart when her dog died, peacefully, in her sleep, although she had lived a long and happy life. My mother was then living completely alone for the first time in her life.
But now Dr. Tyson, through the Asper de Tyson Foundation, is making it possible for my mother to once again have a dog with her—a charming 10-year-old female Labradoodle who was taken in by the Foundation when her previous companion could no longer care for her. Dr. Tyson thought this Labradoodle would be just right for my mother, and she herself with her young daughters (who, like their mother, are really good to my mother) brought the dog to my mother’s house for a preliminary visit! The visit was a success, and shortly afterwards the dog became a permanent resident in my mother’s house.
My mother says the new dog “talks” to her, and of course my mother talks to the dog as well. The dog has adapted quickly to life with my mother, generally staying with her wherever she is in the house, but making brief trips outside to bark at impertinent squirrels. My mother would not be able to have a dog without the continuing support that Dr. Tyson and the Foundation are giving her, and we are both SO grateful that my mother is once again able to have a canine companion, especially one who “talks” to her and who loves to be petted!
This sanctuary is heaven sent. The staff made it so warm for my family to visit. My two little ones loved seeing the animals, up close! They saw a tortoise, geckos, exotic cats and their first time ever seeing a macaw! So cool! If it wasn’t for this place, who knows if they would ever have the chance to see these exotic creatures!
I first heard about the sanctuary from visiting my vet, and was welcomed to visit right away. I wish all people had as big of heart as these people. Dr. Tyson and her staff sure have a special place in my heart after witnessing for myself the beauty and love they have for these animals.
Thank you -thank you - thank you!
I'm writing this letter regarding a marvelous recent addition to my family. Since the beginning of 2018 we have happily opened our home to a lovable beagle named Cody. He was given to us by our veterinarian Dr. Melissa Tyson when our former dog passed away.
Since Cody was introduced to our family, he has provided companionship for my 92-year-old father who has quickly bonded with the friendly beagle. When Cody arrived, he first became a companion to our elderly dog (female German shepherd) during the last few weeks of her ailing life. Cody picked up the rhythm of our household routine from our shepherd and hasn't missed a beat since.
Now, seven months later, Cody is attending to many of the daily "duties" our former dog did like scouting the yard in the morning and watching the daily news broadcasts with my elderly father during the day. Cody even nudges his new best friend my father outside to enjoy a sunny moment in the day. Cody is a perfect motivator.
All in all, I just want to say that Cody-personable and gentle- has been a welcomed addition to our home. That was a particularly true when we lost our shepherd of 15 years just after the holiday season earlier this year. Cody helped my father(and all of us) to transition into a new friendship rather than sink into grief. Cody is the best
Warm regards,
Fran Gilmore
Dr Tyson is my vet, that not only takes amazing care of my personal fur babies, she has helped with any and every stray, rescue, and wild animal I (and others) have ever found. A feral cat had kittens in my yard. She took time after work to help set up humane traps and took each kitten in, spay/neutered and was able to find homes for all 8! She even captured and spayed the mom and gave it all the needed shots and re-introduced into a safer wild area.
She gave more help then the local SPCA ever did for any stray animal in the Pasadena area.