Founding veterinarian

Albert Benson, DVM

Albert Benson was born in Jackson Heights, NY and grew up in VA on a working dairy farm. He first went to Auburn University on football and wrestling scholarships, then transferred to VPI (now known as Virginia Tech). He attended the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, graduating in 1953, then moved back to the mid-Atlantic and founded Benson Animal Hospital in 1953 — on the opposite corner of Old Georgetown Road and Cordell Avenue from where the practice is now located. The practice was moved to its current location in 1988. Dr. Benson — “Sr.” — practiced for 60 years before retiring. He passed away in 2021.

Education

University of Georgia
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, 1953

Virginia Polytechnic Institute
B.S. Animal Science

Lead Veterinarian & Medical Director

Randall Benson, DVM

Dr. Randy Benson’s veterinary career began when he was five years old, when he had to stand on stacked cans of dog food to see over the surgical table. His father, Albert Benson, founded Benson Animal Hospital in Bethesda in 1953, and as soon as Randy was old enough he began helping his father at the hospital with after-hour emergencies at, he remembers, “the princely rate of $0.25 per hour.” After that, there wasn’t a weekend or summer Randy didn’t work at the hospital — “I never thought of doing anything else besides veterinary medicine for a career. I had been exposed to the profession my entire life, I knew the ins and outs, and I loved the work. It was very clear to me that being a vet was my calling.” Randy followed in his father’s footsteps and went to the University of Georgia for both his undergraduate and veterinary degrees, and moved back to DC to work alongside his father at Benson Animal Hospital, where he’s been practicing since 1985. Dr. Benson — “Jr.” — lives in NW DC with his wife, Lydia, their two daughters, Lida and Sophia, and their pets: a Shiba Inu named Kava, a Jack Russell-Dachsund mix named Ziggy, and a Dachshund named Miss Bea.

ASSOCIATE veterinarian

Janet Davis, DVM

Dr. Janet Davis graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park with a Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science. She was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army Reserves in the same year where she was trained as a combat medic. She worked as a veterinary technician after college before being accepted to the veterinary school at Virginia Tech, where she graduated in 1993. Since then, she has worked for almost a quarter century as a small animal veterinarian in Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties. She and her husband own a small farm in Frederick that they share with cattle, chickens, dogs, cats, and 120,000 honeybees! She enjoys gardening, reading, sewing, and is an avid aquarist.

ASSOCIATE VETERINARIAN

Wendy Guingrich, DVM

Wendy Guingrich is a 2004 graduate of The Ohio State University Veterinary College.  She is interested in preventative medicine for a wide range of species including dogs, cats, horses and farm animals.  She is semi-retired from a busy practice in rural Maryland and enjoys working part-time at Benson Animal Hospital, answering questions, managing chronic illnesses and preventing diseases in all your furry four-legged friends.

Education

Ohio State
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, 2004

Ohio State
B.S. Animal Science

Victor Abrego

Leo Vincent

Emily Phua

Jason Contreras

FRONT DESK STAFF

Meet the first faces you see at BAH! They keep the office running smoothly and they strive to make your experience at BAH pleasant and easy. They ensure that every question or concern gets answered fully and efficiently all while keeping our front desk, record keeping, and scheduling organized and streamlined. Say hi when you talk with them in person or on the phone!

Veronica Sanchez Lexus Harvey Breanna Jackson