Teri Byrd, DVM
Dr. Teri Byrd's life has never taken her far from careers with the animals she loves. Her first job in the animal care field began at the age of 12 when she was hired as a Veterinary Assistant. Simultaneously she worked as a horse trainers' apprentice and then at a drive-through exotic animal park. For two summers she worked at the park, where she raised tigers, lions, antelope, seals, camels and other species. She also rehabilitated a cheetah who had been crippled by a bad accident.
Dr. Byrd completed her B.S. in Biology/Zoology at Eastern Washington University where her work caring for animals continued. Shortly after graduation she began the process to secure nonprofit status and permits to form the Endangered Species Research and Breeding Center in Spokane, Washington. She imported a pair of Cheetahs from Canada and completed several research projects working with her professors at EWU. Three years after this achievement, Dr. Byrd entered the College of Veterinary Medicine at Washington State University.
In 1991, she earned a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine and soon began working with a wide range of species that included horses, sheep, cows, rabbits, exotics, cats, dogs, and more. During this two to three year period Dr. Byrd also acted as a substitute veterinarian at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Tacoma.
She purchased her first practice Animal Care Clinic in Tacoma in 1993–where she spent the next seven years honing her dentistry, internal medicine and surgical skills. During this time Dr. Byrd worked to ensure that her clinic had the resources to contribute $20 to $30,000 annually to charitable care for animals in need. She also was named Pierce County Volunteer of the Year in 1995 for her work as a Court Appointed Special Advocate Guardian Ad Litem for abused and neglected children. She served as a volunteer for the Pierce County 4-H, which is also where her daughter showed horses for nine years and won 1st in state in Western Equitation.
Overlapping her responsibilities at Animal Care Clinic, Dr. Byrd spent eight years engaged in a house-call practice on Vashon Island where her work focused on senior care, hospice care, and humane, home euthanasia. She also spent some time working with Vashon Island Pet Protectors to rescue and care for feral and abandoned cats.
Interspersed with these many other points of her veterinary practice, Dr. Byrd worked as a relief and part-time veterinarian in Seattle and Tacoma for approximately three years. This stint also included nine months working with the Tacoma Humane Society in an effort to reform its status as a no-kill animal shelter.
In December of 2007, Dr. Byrd purchased Madison Park Veterinary Hospital in Seattle. With a specific vision in mind, she gutted and rebuilt the clinic, purchased all new equipment and hired all new staff. The result is a vibrant, community-centered practice operating within a state-of-the-art facility with a staff dedicated to providing the most compassionate and highest quality of care for the residents of Seattle and surrounding areas.
Dr. Byrd continues to work with and contribute to a number of nonprofit institutions, which include Vashon Island Pet Protectors, Adriennes Cat Rescue, Gingers Pet Rescue, and others.
When not busy with her animal care activities, Dr. Byrd enjoys hiking, boating, golf lessons, Spanish lessons, walking her dog, watching movies with her cat, and spending time with her daughter Alisa, a PhD student at Seattle Pacific University.
She adds, "I live in the wonderful community of Leschi and love my clients and patients."
Dr. Lisa Reising graduated from Iowa State College of Veterinary Medicine in 1999. In 2003, she completed the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society Course which trained her in Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine for small animals. Since then holistic veterinary medicine has been her passion. She has continued her education with Chinese Herbal Medicine through the Chi Institute and College of Integrative Veterinary Therapies.
Dr. Reising’s practice is based on loving kindness and compassion with an emphasis on the human animal bond. The integration of Chinese and Western Medicine, Nutrition, Acupuncture and Herbal Therapy is used to heal her patients. Dr. Reising believes in preventative medicine for animals with proper nutrition and exercise as the basis for optimal health. She enjoys educating animal lovers on a wide range of topics to help them maintain healthy animal companions in mind, body, and spirit.
Dr. Reising is president of the Washington State Holistic Veterinary Medical Association and a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association. She is also involved with hosting Spirits in Transition seminars which provide guidance on how to care for animals from home when diagnosed with a terminal illness. Outside of veterinary practice she leads an Adopt-A-Street program helping to beautify her neighborhood in Seattle.
