How to Appreciate Wildlife and All God’s Creatures

Messiah Community Radio Talk Show

Healer of Angels is a heartwarming collection of true stories of a young boy overcoming life’s challenges and disabilities with the guidance of wise grandparents and other mentors. This process leads to a life dedicated to the rescue, healing and release of the wild creatures of the desert southwest. Some of the stories are humorous and some bittersweet, but each will inspire, teaching a lesson as it touches the readers’ heart.

Join Mr. Tyner as he reflects back on his life: from a young boy terrified of birds to becoming the first man in North America licensed to train a wild golden eagle in the ancient art of falconry; from a shy dyslectic teenager, to the founder and CEO of the Southwest Wildlife Foundation. Martin Tyner is one of America’s foremost wildlife rehabilitators, a master falconer, eagle falconer, and wildlife and environmental educator. He travels throughout the west providing wildlife programs accompanied by his devoted companion, Scout, a wild golden eagle.

At age twelve, Martin Tyner started caring for the sick, injured and orphaned creatures in his home town of Simi Valley, CA. At age nineteen, Tyner was hired as curator of birds of prey at Busch Gardens, CA. He worked in the movie and television industry training big cats, elephants, primates, sea mammals and raptors.

Martin Tyner is a federally licensed falconer, eagle falconer, wildlife rehabilitator, wildlife propagator, and wildlife and environmental educator. He has been providing wildlife and environmental programs throughout the western United States, to schools, scouts and community groups for over forty years.

Martin Tyner provides Birds of Prey and Excursions through Road Scholar. He is included on three of their Utah Adventures: Hiking Bryce and Zion National Parks, National Parks With Your Grandchild: Zion, Bryce & Grand Canyon and Canyons, Cliffs & Rivers: The Geological Wonders of Zion. Since these adventures change on occasion, they recommend calling before scheduling in order to make sure the itinerary is still as listed on their site.

He has also taught summer classes at Southern Utah University called The Ancient Art of Falconry and Shakespeare, and performed in the Green Show with his raptors for the Utah Shakespeare Festival.

Martin Tyner is the founder of the Southwest Wildlife Foundation of Utah, which is a 501(c)(3) non-profit wildlife rescue, wildlife and environmental education organization. With the help of his golden eagle, Bud, they received a donation of 22.6 acres of beautiful, canyon property from Utah Power/Scottish Power for the development of a permanent wildlife rescue facility and a nature park for the children of Utah.

In 2005 Martin and Bud were honored by the Utah State Legislature for over a quarter-century of wildlife rescue and wildlife and environmental education in Utah. Martin Tyner is one of America’s foremost wildlife rehabilitators, a master falconer, eagle falconer, and wildlife and environmental educator.

In 1976, Martin met the love of his life, Susan, who is an animal lover in her own right. Susan Heaton Tyner began her career working with animals in 1977, as a bather-brusher at the Canine Castle, a local dog grooming shop, in Simi Valley and finished her training at the Pet Oasis, in Lancaster, CA, where she graduated to the position of professional dog groomer.

Susan and Martin moved to Cedar City, UT, in the winter of 1979 where they raised two children. In 1982, they opened Tyner’s Pets and Dog Grooming where Martin ran the pet shop and Susan groomed dogs.

Susan volunteered as a leader in 4-H, developing the Guide Dog for the Blind puppy program in Southern Utah. She has been grooming dogs professionally for over thirty years and is an award-winning, international, creative groomer.

Martin continues to travel throughout the west providing wildlife programs accompanied by his devoted companion, Scout, a wild golden eagle. Between events, Martin and his birds have plenty of experience on both sides of the camera. Since high school, Martin has polished his skills as a wildlife photographer. He makes his own prints and sells them at events and online to raise funds for his foundation. He is also long experienced handling his birds for movie and television crews.

In 2015 Martin was named Cedar City Man of the year.

2018 marked Martin’s 50th year of caring of critters and educating the public. His efforts were acknowledged by the City Council of Cedar City and Senator Vickers honored Martin on the Utah State Senate floor.