Dr. Kimberly Tyson, owner of Four Paws Veterinary Hospital in Riverview, examines Seabass, a 14-year-old dachshund with back issues, during an acupuncture consult. Tyson practices integrative veterinary medicine, which incorporates holistic forms of treatment with traditional ones. Tyson supports area animal charities by hosting Yappy Hour events each month. Lois Kindle photos.
Dr. Jonathan Rubenstein, right, joined the Four Paws Veterinary Hospital staff last year. He is residency-trained in the care of birds, reptiles and small mammals, like rabbits, rodents and ferrets. At left is Dr. Kimberly Tyson, practice owner.
Licensed veterinary technician Stephanie Radar plays with Lily, a stray kitten being raised by Dr. Jonathan Rubenstein and his 5-year-old daughter, Fiona.
Dr. Kimberly Tyson holds Sparks, the Four Paws Veterinary Hospital mascot who came to the practice when it opened in 2007. Tyson supports area animal charities by hosting Yappy Hour events each month at Joia Fabulous Pizza & Martini Bar in Riverview.
June 9, 2016 — Dr. Kimberly Tyson sees and treats scores of animals each week at Four Paws Veterinary Hospital in Riverview. She’s known throughout the South Shore community for her compassionate care of animals.
But Tyson credits plenty of other organizations that also do the same, and she’s made it her mission to help. These include the Critter Adoption and Rescue Effort (C.A.R.E.) no-kill animal shelter, Great Pyrenees Rescue, Florida Parrot Rescue, Great Ape Sanctuary, RVR Horse Rescue and other nonprofit charities in need of extra cash to operate.
When she ran for honorary mayor of Riverview in 2011, a client suggested she do a fundraiser for C.A.R.E. as part of her efforts to gather votes. Tyson and John Gio, owner of Joia Fabulous Pizza & Martini Bar in Riverview, co-hosted a Yappy Hour for the Ruskin animal shelter that raised $1,500.
The seeds of an ongoing effort were planted.
Impressed with the event and its turnout, Gio suggested Tyson host a fundraiser at his restaurant every month. Tyson liked the idea and agreed to do it as long as she could raise money for a different animal charity each time.
“That’s what started the whole thing,” Tyson said about the monthly events she’s organized since March 2011. “I continue to do these fundraisers because there is a great need in our local community for these animal charity groups. They do not receive the attention or public funding that more notable groups do, such as the SPCA.”
With catchy names like Yappy Hour, Meowy Hour, Flappy Hour and Horseology Hour, Tyson’s fundraisers have collected nearly $30,000. Some, like the Meowy Hour, involve the veterinarian being locked up in a cage and attendees making donations of “bail” to get her released. All include no cover, 50/50s and other raffles, discounted appetizers and drink specials. Leashed pets are welcome.
The gatherings normally net anywhere from $250 to $850, depending on the night and the crowd, Tyson said. However, the three Horseology Hour fundraisers bring in $1,200 to $1,500.
The next Yappy Hour event will take place on Tuesday, June 28, and benefit Vets4Pets, a low-cost veterinary clinic in Tampa owned and operated by the Hillsborough Animal Health Foundation and its more than 40 member hospitals, including Tyson’s Four Paws. The event will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. at Joia, 10475 Gibsonton Drive, Riverview.
Tyson, 49, graduated from the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine in 1993. She first worked at the Santa Cruz Animal Clinic in Brandon, and then did relief work for a number of area veterinarians before starting a family and her own practice.
She opened Four Paws Veterinary Hospital in November 2007 at 9430 Balm Riverview Road, Riverview. She is married and the mother of 12-year-old fraternal twins.
About five years ago, Tyson was joined by Dr. Heather Smithson, a graduate of the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine, and last year by Dr. Jonathan Rubinstein, who graduated from veterinary school at Tufts University. The three vets are assisted by eight highly trained staff members. The practice has done so well that Tyson plans to add another 1,000 square feet of space to the hospital, including two more exam rooms, one of which will be for exotic pets.
Four Paws Veterinary Hospital specializes in integrative veterinary medicine, including wellness services, dental care and surgery for dogs and cats, animal acupuncture and companion laser therapy. And thanks to Rubenstein, services for birds, reptiles and small mammals are also offered.
Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to noon Saturday. The doctors try to accommodate in-home calls, if needed and arranged in advance.
For an appointment, call 813-672-3687 or email fvethospital@petml.com.
For additional information, visit www.4pawsvethospital.com.