Meet Our Staff

Meet The Staff

Tae S. Kwon, D.V.M.
Dr. Kwon was raised in a small town in South Korea with his parents and siblings. He graduated from Seoul National University, Korea in 1977 with a degree in veterinary medicine. He went on to work for a pharmaceutical company and did research in pharmacology and toxicology for drug safety and efficacy.

In 1983, Dr. Kwon moved his wife and daughters from Korea to California to expand his education in advanced veterinary medicine. When he first came to California, he worked for a computer company in order to support his family.
Dr. Kwon then did a six month internship at Agoura Animal Clinic, followed by six months at Humphrey, Giacopuzzi, and Associates Equine Hospital.

Dr. Kwon received his veterinary license in Florida in 1988, and then in California in 1989. He continued to work in various veterinary hospitals in Orange County before opening up his own practice. Dr. Kwon wanted to open a small animal practice that could serve all of Santa Clarita. He opened up Valley Lyons Pet Hospital in 1992.

Dr. Kwon was awarded the "Best Veterinarian" by the Daily News of Los Angeles in 2003. He was on the board of trustees for the Southern California Veterinary Medical Association, and a member of the California Veterinary Medicine Association. He is also a member and previous president of the Korean Veterinary Society of America, and a member of the Korean Veterinary Association of Southern California.

Dr. Kwon currently lives with his beautiful wife, Sylvia, and their happy shih-tzu "Mikey". They have three grown daughters who live on their own.  Dr. Kwon and his wife enjoy hiking in the mountains and running marathons. They have completed many marathons and hiked to the top of Mount Whitney. Dr. Kwon climbed Gillman Point (18,500 ft.), Mount Kilimanjaro on July 4, 2008. 

Elysa Braunstein, V.M.D., M.A. 

Elysa Braunstein, VMD, MA was born and raised in New York City until the age of seventeen, when she attended the undergraduate biology program at the University of Pennsylvania.  Following graduation, Dr. Braunstein traveled to San Francisco and completed a Master's Degree in Anatomy at UCSF before heading back to Pennsylvania for a veterinary doctorate from PennVet. 

The prestigious University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine has been a national Top Ten program since being established in 1887.  UPenn awards a V.M.D., which stands for the Latin words for Veterinary Medical Doctor. The degree is exactly equivalent to the D.V.M.  Following her graduation with honors in 1993, Dr. Braunstein returned to California and completed an internship in small animal surgery and emergency medicine under tutelage of the world-renowned veterinary surgeons and internists at California Animal Hospital (now ASEC).

Dr. Braunstein has been practicing veterinary medicine in Southern California since 1994 in feline-only AND dog-and-cat hospitals.  In her spare time, she enjoys riding her horse Gabe and being a servant to her two birds, Dino and Bozo, and two cats, Termite and Captain Crash.
 
Nicole
Office Manager Veterinary Technician

Nicky has been with Valley Lyons Pet Hospital since March 2005, but has worked with animals for many years.  She is a wonderful attribute to Valley Lyons with her expertise in doing dentals, placing IV catheters, giving vaccines, drawing blood, taking X-rays, and assisting the doctor with patients.  Nicky has one dog, Chanel, and two cats, Gigi and Apollo a.k.a. Fat Daddy. When Nicky is not at work she is spending her free time with her husband and two beautiful daughters.  She also enjoys going to the lake with her family, camping, bowling, watching movies and BBQing.

Leslie
Veterinary Technician
Leslie has been with Valley Lyons Pet Hospital since April of 2007, having seven years experience working with animals.  When she's not working she enjoys spending time with her energetic son. Leslie also enjoys cooking, gardening, playing Nintendo, driving long distances, going to concerts and festivals, and eating seafood. She is dedicated to helping animals and has been a wonderful addition to our team!  

Freddy 
Veterinary Technician
Freddy has been with Valley Lyons Pet Hospital since November 2008. He has five years experience working with animals.
In his spare time, Freddy enjoys spending time with his wife of 14 years, sleeping, relaxing and fishing.
He has four dogs, Lady, Rocky, Mya and Munch. Freddy is a hard worker; he is a strong addition to the team!