Great Veterinarians

The Veterinary Hospital of the Humane Society of Berks County has great vets!  With a wide diversity of experience and knowledge, our veterinarians know not only how to deliver the highest standard of care to your pets, but also how to serve the special needs of the shelter animals throughout the region.  From general veterinary medicine and surgery to equine medicine to cutting edge services like acupuncture, HSBC vets make our hospital live up to our motto:  "Great vets, great care, for a great cause."

If you are considering joining the Humane Society as a veterinary client, consider visiting us for a Welcome Waggin' Tour or Furry Friday Open House to meet our staff for yourself in order to see if we are the right medical care provider for your pets.

Dr. Kelly Bendixsen, a graduate of Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine, has been a full-time staff veterinarian at the Humane Society since April, 2007.  Dr. Bendixsen also attended Delaware Valley College in Doylestown, PA, from which she graduated with her BS in Small Animal Science.  Prior to arriving at HSBC, Dr. Bendixsen was in private practice in Bucks and Chester counties.  Her main interests include behavior, spays/neuters, routine annual visits, and shelter medicine.  She enjoys helping new dog and cat owners as they experience the joy (and sometimes frustrations) of introducing an animal into the family.  Currently, she lives with one cat who enjoys having the house to herself while “mom” is working.

Dr. Lee Pickett, a graduate of University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, has been practicing conventional veterinary medicine and acupuncture since 1994. Her undergraduate degree is in Biology, from Hartwick College, Oneonta, NY.  She is the recipient of numerous awards including the Maxwell Medal from the Dog Writers Association of America and the University of Pennsylvania Mikus Prize for proficiency in veterinary medicine and upholding the principles of veterinary medical ethics. She was profiled in a Philadelphia magazine cover story on Great Vets, and she appears on television news segments and animal shows.  She also writes a syndicated weekly veterinary health column, Ask the Vet’s Pets (appearing locally in the Reading Eagle).  She shares her home with four dogs, five cats and one husband.

Dr. Heather Westfall, a graduate of University of Pennsylvania's School of Veterinary Medicine, has a long history in animal welfare. Prior to veterinary school, she worked for over 10 years as a veterinary technician in both private practices and animal welfare organizations. Dr. Westfall continues to be active in foster and rescue.  Dr. Westfall has a variety of interests, including internal medicine, pharmacology, general surgery, pain management, and geriatric/special needs patients. She especially enjoys working with small and toy breeds. Dr. Westfall's equine veterinary experience is being put to good use as she develops the HSBC's equine care and cruelty enforcement program (slated for mid-2008), which will address an extremely underserved need in our region.  She shares her home with her husband and a suspiciously large number of tiny dogs.