Chalfont, PA Veterinarians
Tracy A. Heitzman, VMD
Veterinarian and Practice Owner Dr. Tracy Heitzman hails from Ewing, New Jersey. From an early age, Dr. Heitzman knew that she wanted to care for animals. During high school, Dr. Heitzman worked at a local animal hospital where the veterinarians provided her with her first lessons in veterinary medicine.
After high school, Dr. Heitzman attended Mercer County Community College where she earned an Associate degree in Applied Science in Medical Technology in 1988. She went on to The College of New Jersey, earning her Bachelor of Science in Biology in 1990. While at The College of New Jersey, Dr. Heitzman won the dean's award, an award from the National Honor Society, and was recognized as the Medical Technologist of the Year.
Dr. Heitzman attended University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, where she earned her Veterinariae Medicinae Doctoris in 1999. While at veterinary school, she earned the American Animal Hospital Small Animal Medicine and Surgery Award. Dr. Heitzman opened County Line Veterinary Hospital in 2006 and after 10 years of providing outstanding veterinary care in Hatboro, Dr. Heitzman opened Central Veterinary Center in 2016.
"The most satisfying part of being a veterinarian is being able to send an animal home to their family when it seemed initially like a poor prognosis," Dr. Heitzman says. "It's also deeply satisfying when I develop relationships with pets and their families."
Dr. Heitzman is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association, The New Jersey Veterinary Medical Association and the Metropolitan Veterinary Medical Association. She is professionally interested in internal medicine and surgery.
At home, Dr. Heitzman has a 9-year-old Jack Russel terrier/Chihuahua mix named Roxy, a 6-year-old long hair Chihuahua named Zoe, a 3-year-old long hair Chihuahua named Rupert, an 11-year-old domestic shorthair cat named Spike and an 8-year-old domestic shorthair cat named Chuckie who lives at County Line Veterinary Hospital. She shares her home with her husband, James, who is a New Jersey State Trooper. Dr. Heitzman admits to being a diehard Cowboys fan, and in her free time she enjoys watching movies and home decorating.
Melissa A. Harvey, VMD
Ever since she can remember, Dr. Melissa A. Harvey has wanted to be a veterinarian. During her childhood in Hackettstown, N.J., Dr. Harvey satisfied her love of animals by spending time with her family's pets and visiting zoos and aquariums. She earned her bachelor's degree in biology from Georgetown University and was awarded her Veterinariae Medicinae Doctoris from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. Melissa earned dean's list recognition throughout veterinary school.
Dr. Harvey is a member of the Phi Zeta Veterinary Honor Society and the American Veterinary Medical Association. Her professional interests include internal medicine and surgery.
At home, Dr. Harvey cares for Buddy, a mixed-breed rescue. In her spare time, she enjoys rollerblading, swimming, kayaking, tennis and traveling. Dr. Harvey also volunteers at Animal Care & Control Team and the Animal Adoption Center.
Aubrey E. Howland, DVM
Dr. Aubrey E. Howland is responsible for the evaluation of patients, diagnosing health issues, and providing treatment plans. Her professional interests include surgeries and ophthalmology. Dr. Howland earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Mary Washington and she went on to attend veterinary school at Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine. As a new grad, Dr. Howland is full of fresh information and new ideas for improving the lives of animals. She joined our team full-time on June 8, 2021. Dr. Howlan is also a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association.
Before coming to work at Central Veterinary Center, Dr. Howland previously worked as a Veterinary Tech Assistant from 2015-2017 and as an Adoptions Coordinator. Dr. Howland has several pets of her very own including 1.5 year old dog Eden, 6 year old cat Charlie, 5 year old cat Kellan, and 4 year old Bearded Dragon named Queso. As a new member of the team, Dr. Howland says that she loves the atmosphere of our office and looks forward to working with our excellent team. In her free time, Dr. Howland enjoys traveling, hiking, crocheting, and playing basketball.
Katharine Alden, VMD
Growing up in Princeton, NJ, Dr. Alden had known she wanted to be a veterinarian since she was two years old. Since then, she’s never lost sight of this dream and began working in veterinary hospitals at 17. She achieved an undergraduate degree in Animal Behavior at Bucknell University in 2019 and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in 2023. Throughout veterinary school, she was consistently on the Dean’s List. Today, she is a member of the AVMA, and her primary interests are internal medicine and dentistry.
Dr. Alden says that the most satisfying part of being a veterinarian is “solving complicated cases and being able to make sick pets feel better again.”
When she’s not working, Dr. Alden enjoys traveling, spin class, and watching sports. Her fur family includes two five-year-old Golden Retrievers named Wilson and Douglass and a 19-year-old Maine Coon mix named Lizzie.
Eileen M. Brandon, VMD
Dr. Eileen M. Brandon grew up next to farms and caring for animals was a natural way of life. Inspired by this upbringing, she became a veterinarian because she wanted to be able to help sick or injured animals. From the age of 14 and on, she began volunteering and working at veterinary hospitals.
“I enjoy being a part of the pets’ care to allow them to be healthy and have a good quality of life for as long as possible.”
Dr. Brandon received an undergraduate degree in Biochemistry from Cedar Crest College in 1991, achieving the Sherwin Polk Arons scholarship. She then graduated from veterinary school at the University of Pennsylvania in 1995 with the Alpo “Growth is a Promise” scholarship.
She is a member of the AVMA and the AAFP.
Dr. Brandon has a Chihuahua mix dog and a herd of cats. She also has a partially blind horse who is In her free time, she loves hiking, biking, traveling, and reading.
