Meet Our Team at Animal Vision Center of VA

HEATHER BROOKSHIRE

DVM, DACVO; Owner, Animal Vision Center of Virginia

Dr. Heather grew up in northern Michigan and obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology with honors from the University of Michigan in 2002. She completed her general veterinary training with Colorado State University and received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree (DVM), graduating Cum Laude, in 2008. Following this, she completed a one-year rotating Medicine and Surgery Internship with North Carolina State University. Dr. Heather’s focused ophthalmology training consisted of a three-year combined residency program in Comparative Veterinary Ophthalmology with Animal Eye Care Associates and North Carolina State University. She became a Board-Certified Veterinary Ophthalmologist after passing the national American College of Veterinary Ophthalmology (ACVO) board examination in 2013. Dr. Heather opened Animal Vision Center of Virginia in 2015. She now oversees two practice locations, in Chesapeake and in the historic Pembroke Manor House in Virginia Beach. In addition, Dr. Heather is a foundering partner of Ally Urgent Veterinary Care, which serves the Coastal Virginia region. When she is not at the clinic caring for four-legged patients of all shapes and sizes, she enjoys spending time outside with her significant other, Christopher, their lovely two Italian Spinones, Fergus and Bodhi, and a crazy Wire-haired Vizsla named Orin.

THE ANIMAL VISION CENTER TEAM

ANDREA LEBER, DVM, DECVO Diplomate, European College of Veterinary Ophthalmology

Dr. Andrea Leber has a passion for helping pets see a better life. Originally from Switzerland, she studied veterinary medicine in Zurich, followed by a residency with Professor Bernhard Spiess, during which she defended a thesis on “Electroretinography in Beagles.” From this promising beginning, Dr. Leber worked as a staff ophthalmologist in a small practice before opening own clinic in Basel in 1993. There, she worked closely with two local zoos and the Foundation Swiss School for Guide Dogs for the Blind, Allshwil. In 1996, she became a diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Ophthalmology.

Following Dr. Leber’s relocation to the United States in 2000, she opened her own ophthalmology clinic in Mobile, Alabama, then moved to Virginia to continue working in her field. Off the job, Dr. Leber enjoys running marathons and triathlons (she has placed several times among the top 10 racers nationally in her age group). Her greatest passions, however, have been watching her two sons graduate college and participating in Team Hoyt marathon races for individuals with cerebral palsy.

ROBERT L. PEIFFER, DVM, PhD, DACVODiplomate, American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists

Board certified in ophthalmology, Dr. Peiffer graduated from the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. He went to Iowa State University for a small animal internship, before returning to a busy small animal practice in Minneapolis. He later received his ophthalmology training as a National Institutes of Health fellow at his alma mater. Dr. Peiffer has been a faculty member at the University of Florida, University of North Carolina, North Carolina State University and the University of Pennsylvania. He also has enjoyed a successful career as a researcher and educator, in addition to directing region-wide veterinary referral practices in North Carolina, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Florida and New Jersey. Dr. Peiffer’s professional recognitions and accomplishments include past-presidencies of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists, the American Society of Veterinary Ophthalmology, the International Society of Veterinary Ophthalmology and the International Society of Ocular Toxicology (where he was the first editor-in-chief of the specialty’s journal). In addition, the American Animal Hospital Association, American Veterinary Medical Association and the World Small Animal Veterinary Association have recognized him with awards for professional and scientific career achievements.

DR. BRIANNE RADULOVICH, DVMComparative Ophthalmology Resident

Dr. Radulovich grew up near Cleveland, Ohio and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from John Carroll University in 2017. She then completed her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 2021 at the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Upon completing a rotating medicine and surgery internship at the University of Illinois, College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Radulovich then traveled to the sunshine state of Florida for a specialty ophthalmology internship at Animal Eye Guys in Miami. She is beyond excited to have joined Animal Vision Center of Virginia for her residency in comparative ophthalmology under the mentorship of Dr. Brookshire. Outside of the clinic, Dr. Radulovich enjoys playing polo, mountain biking or giving eye drops to her adorable, black Labrador, Kenai, who has an inoperable cataract in her right eye.

VICTORIA PEREZ, DVM Ophthalmology Resident

Dr. Victoria Perez grew up in Miami and studied cognitive science with a focus on linguistics and cognitive neuropsychology at John Hopkins University. During her undergraduate studies, she discovered her calling—veterinary medicine. Following graduation, she returned to South Florida, spending two years working in wildlife rehabilitation, primarily with seabirds. In 2017, Victoria moved to Ithaca, N.Y., where she completed veterinary school at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine and a rotating internship with Friendship Hospital for Animals in Washington D.C. In her spare time, Dr. Perez enjoys tending to her house plants, building terrariums and volunteering with bat rehabilitation and conservation. She loves kayaking, hiking with her dogs, spending time outside—and returning to Florida when her busy schedule allows!

SYDNEY HALL, DVM Ophthalmology Specialty Intern

Born and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Sydney completed her undergraduate and veterinary education at Louisiana State University, earning a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 2023. She completed a one-year rotating internship in small animal medicine and surgery at LSU’s Small Animal Hospital. Now, she is thrilled to take the next step towards her career goal of specializing in ophthalmology with a specialty ophthalmology internship. A compassionate veterinarian who thrives in collaborative environments, Sydney is profoundly interested in ophthalmology. She is also passionate about drawing, painting, cooking, singing, outdoor activities, foreign languages and traveling abroad. Sydney loves spending time with her two Chiweenies, Bitsie and Sassy (who were adopted as a bonded pair late in their lives), and her big fur baby, Buddy, who happily lives under the Chiweenie authority.

MELISSA NOBLETTOffice Manager

Melissa is a Chesapeake local from Great Bridge. She grew up working on Bergey’s Dairy farm at the age of 12, where she developed a love for animals of all shapes and sizes. Melissa has worked locally in small animal care and specialty practice for over 20 years, 17 of which have been spent in veterinary ophthalmology. “There is no better feeling than helping an animal in need. Working with Dr. Brookshire to provide an outstanding level of vision care for animals in our community is the best job in the world,” she says. Melissa has two wonderful daughters, Brae and Leah, and a new bouncing baby boy named Pierson as well as four rambunctious dogs: Paisley, Lulu, Eve and Victor. She spends her time off playing and chasing around with her kids, both two-legged and four-legged. As the AVCVA office manager, Melissa is dedicated to making sure every visit is a pleasant experience and that each pet parent leaves with a clear understanding of the treatment plan and future goals.

JASON BALLLicensed Veterinary Technician

A Kempsville High School graduate, Jason began working with us in 2019 as an intern from Tidewater Community College’s Veterinary Assistant Program. Jason has since earned his Veterinary Technician license after completing TCC’s Veterinary Technology Program. Jason’s interest in this field began while volunteering at Evelyn’s Wildlife Refuge in Virginia Beach. Working with raccoons, squirrels and opossums further developed his growing passion in the veterinary field. His enthusiasm for his job at AVCVA is infectious! Jason assists with patient exams, filling prescriptions and minor procedures, and he is eager to continue his knowledge with technician school. At home, he has six hermit crabs (Dex, Diogi, Brownie, Skye, Sushi and Wonton) that keep him busy. Jason is also the proud owner of Juliette, who he adopted from Chesapeake Animal Services.

JESSICA TURMANLicensed Veterinary Technician

Jessica Turman joined Animal Vision Center of Virginia in 2023. Before working at AVCVA, she spent over 10 years in general veterinary practices. Originally from Virginia, Jessica moved to North Carolina with her family at a young age. While learning about horses and horseback riding as a child, she developed a passion for animals and decided to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. Jessica graduated from North Carolina State University in 2012 with a B.S. in Animal Science and a minor in Genetics. She earned her Associate of Science in Veterinary Technology from Blue Ridge Community College in 2018. Jessica shares her life with four beloved fur babies: two Dalmatians, Jameson and Finnegan, and two cats, Mystique and Bella. When she’s not on the job, she enjoys spending time at the barn, relaxing at the beach, or reading a good book.

MEGAN S.Veterinary Assistant

Megan is a valued member of our AVCVA ocular veterinary care team. As a Veterinary Assistant, she loves being an advocate for animals, while educating clients about ocular care for their pets. Off the job, Megan enjoys spending time with her husband, Ryan, and their children, Madison and Reed. They live with three black cats, Lanikan, Samuel and Lucas, plus Odie, a beloved Beagle (her spirit animal). When time allows, she also loves propagating plants.

HANNAH M.Veterinary Assistant

Hannah’s experience growing up on a horse farm gave her ample opportunity to observe and even assist the veterinarians who tended to the animals. Before joining AVCVA, she was a Veterinary Assistant here in Coastal Virginia. Hannah has two dogs, Waylon and Cash (an Aussi and German wirehaired pointer, respectively), two cats, eight chickens and two ducks. When she is not at work, she loves riding horses, snowboarding and hunting.

PEYTON G.Veterinary Assistant

Peyton called Texas home before moving to Alabama at an early age to begin her veterinary care as a kennel worker. Over the next seven years she worked her way up to becoming a lead Veterinary Assistant, with the goal of working in an ophthalmology specialty practice. Fast forward to today. Peyton is part of Team AVCVA and will soon be studying to earn her Veterinary Technician license at Tidewater Community College. Her adopted dog, Mr. Conrad Moon Pie, stands by for inspiration (and hugs!). In addition to her work, Peyton enjoys fishing, playing poker and riding motorcycles.

JENNIFER G.Client Care Liaison

Working in the veterinary field, Jennifer loves spreading news to people she meets about the importance of animal welfare. This aligned closely with her previous job as the front desk manager for the Norfolk SPCA—and before that when she worked as the kennel manager for AMK9, a canine service provider that trained canine teams to assist government and law enforcement with drug and bomb detection. When Jennifer is not coordinating care for AVCVA pet patients, she enjoys nature walks with her husband, biking, “modding” her jeep and spending time with Khloe, her Yorkie Maltese mix. Fun fact: As the previous owner of a trucking company in Athens, Georgia, Jennifer used to drive 18-wheelers cross country!

HALEY B.Client Care Liaison

CARE YOU CAN TRUST

Our goal is to provide the best ocular care possible for all animals.
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CONSULTATION AND REFERRAL SERVICES

For any consultation or referral request, use the convenient form below. You can also download a paper form and fax it to our office.

QUICK CONSULTATION

Sometimes all you need is a quick question answered or need a second opinion to help a patient. Dr. Heather is happy to give you both.

ON-SITE CONSULTATION

We will gladly provide ophthalmic consultations for your patients at YOUR veterinary practice. Due to increased time allotments, please allow up to one week for these appointments.

PATIENT REFERRAL

We appreciate and accept any animal in need of ocular care. In our hands, your patients will receive the best diagnosis and care possible.

FORMS

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