Staff Spotlight: Yuko Tester

Yuko caring for a shelter dog.

Meet one of the shelter’s Veterinary Technician Assistants, Yuko Tester! Yuko helps thousands of animals get the medical care and recovery they need.

Q. What does a day in your life at the shelter look like?

I am basically a nurse to the animals in our care. I do anything from lab work to animal recovery in surgery, to medically treating animals that are sick and/or injured. Each day varies, but I usually help prepare for surgery by turning all the appropriate equipment on and prepping for the Veterinarian or Licensed Veterinary Technician as well as gathering the animal for their scheduled surgery time.

Q. What made you want to work at the Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County?

What made me start this adventure is I lost my dad in 2018. His passing made me realize that I wasn’t fulfilling my purpose or living my dreams. So I picked up the pieces of my life and came to the shelter. Looking for a way to heal by helping animals in need. I’ve always loved dogs so I started as a volunteer at the shelter doing kennel enrichment as well as dog walking. Shelter staff urged me to apply for a position at the shelter, and I did. I started out as a Kennel Aid and eventually got my dream position as a nurse for these beautiful animals.

Q. Why are you so passionate about the work we do?

I am fortunate enough to give healing to these creatures that helped me heal when I needed it the most. That is what I love most about my job, and what makes me so passionate. We have four dogs at my house and three of which have been adopted from the Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County. My mother and my father both loved animals, so I get this from them. I learned from my parents that ALL beings have emotions. They deserve to feel safe, loved unconditionally, and taken care of.