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, earning, 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 lives in NW DC with his wife, Lydia Chopivsky-Benson, a DMV Realtor. They have 3 dogs — Kava, Ziggy, and Mishka Roo — and two adult children — Lida and Sophia, who followed in his footsteps and is also now a veterinarian in practice at BAH!

ASSOCIATE veterinarian

Dan Murphy, DVM

Dan Murphy graduated from the University of Maryland after his tour in the Navy. He graduated from the Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1990. In 2002 he purchased a practice on Capitol Hill and ran the business until it closed in 2024. He now works at Benson Animal Hospital, but he’s not new to BAH: “I have known the Benson family for a long time and helped out in the old clinic when back from veterinary school, when on my vacations.”

He lives on Capitol Hill with his wife, Lynn, who was his office manager for 10 years (still happily married!). They currently live with their cats Midnight (aka Middy) and Annabelle (aka Fatty, for obvious reasons). When not working, he spends a lot of his time in his garden plot at the Glover Park Community Garden, which he’s had for 33 years.

Education

Oklahoma State University
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, 1990

University of Maryland

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

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!