Veterinary Referral Associates

Reviews

• CM

  Celia Mona

  4 days ago
  5.0
  Came to VRA as a referral, we live between here and CA where our dogs oncology team has been handling his chemo. Our oncology team there was amazing and VERY picky about referrals, so I knew Dr. Ben was going to be the best. I found the entire experience to be incredibly honest from start to finish. My dog's diagnosis is more rare, so we went over the most ideal game plan and the spectrum of what the results could look like. They also were willing to communicate directly with my CA oncology team to review both the treatment and the results, which I felt was really above and beyond. They estimated the cost the first day, and it was very accurate, they did not charge me for anything that would be unnecessary, and they made a plan to accommodate his discomfort around dogs he doesn't know by showing me a more private door they would meet me at to pick him up. Our dog loved their staff and was excited for his appointments. One thing that was disappointing for us but shows to me how honest and incredible the team was is that unfortunately my dogs tumor had an underwhelming response to the treatment. Cancer is cancer, and there is so much out of our control, but being in the spot where I have to make decisions about his care, that honesty meant the world to me. The lobby is also full of the cutest dogs being SO brave in the toughest scenarios, and super caring and attentive owners. I can tell this is a place full of pet parents that would do anything for their pets, and I think that also says something about a vet!
• CB

  C B

  Aug 12, 2026
  5.0
  ACHIEVE Urgent Care sent us to VRA for emergency hospitalization on a Wednesday night. VRA staff came out to the car to help get my 60-lb dog, who was no longer walking, into the facility. They did a thorough interview with me about the troubles while other staff were immediately stabilizing her. She ended up staying in ICU for 5 days. Turns out she had apparently eaten something highly toxic, which we presume to be a deadly poisonous mushroom. Throughout her stay, the vets called or talked to me in person every day (more than once a day in the beginning), updating me on details of her status, their hypotheses about the underlying cause, her current treatment, and their plans for next steps. I visited her daily and found the techs also very caring and attentive to my dog and welcoming to me. The doctors came up with a treatment plan that Google AI told me was "brilliant," and it saved my dog's life (Google AI told me 80% of dogs die of this presumed toxin, 50% in the first 24 hours). My dog is dog reactive (although not up to it for most of the time she was there), and they were accommodating in getting her out a back door rather than going through the waiting room where other dogs were coming and going. This care was, of course, very expensive, but they gave me detailed estimates every step of the way and, combined with the detailed information I was getting from the vets, I was able to make informed decisions. VRA saved my dog's life and did it in as stress-free a way as possible. My dog was in an animal shelter for over a year before I got her 2 years ago, and she is an anxious sort, especially in veterinary situations. But I never saw any anxiety or discomfort in her when I visited. They did a great job of keeping her comfortable and stress-free while she was going through this emergency. Good clear discharge review also, allowing me to ask all the questions I needed so that I felt comfortable taking her home, as well as promises that I could bring her back or call if anything was worrying me at home. I am so glad to know they are there if I ever need them again (hopefully not!).
• AG

  april garner

  Aug 11, 2026
  5.0
  We had to bring our dog Nina in. Unfortunately she had a quick decline at almost 20 years old. We had to make the decision to let her cross the rainbow bridge. Barbara at the front desk was great. Anna was very compassionate, caring, and patient. They made this terrible experience as comfortable as it could have been.
• SL

  Susan Luff

  Aug 7, 2026
  5.0
  There have been two outstanding experiences with Dr. Ganjei. Through his experienced fingers, it turned out my dog did not have anal gland cancer which was suspected by my regular vet. My dog was carefully monitored for a year which confirmed his initial impression. The second experience was surgery for a double hernia and perianal fistula this August. For a dog who had just completed chemotherapy for lymphoma, it sounded like extensive surgery, bringing worry. Dr. Ganjei said, "This is going to be okay. I'm good." Said without arroagance, rather a calm registering of his long history of competence. His special skill being able to do this through non-invasive surgery eliminating a large abdominal incision, enabled my dog to have a quick recovery. Dr. Ganjei's attentiveness to pain management enabled m dog's recovery to be so comfortable. In addition to his surgical skills, he is a warm, wonderful human being whose human presence deeply enhances the medical care he offers. I am so relieved and grateful for what my dog and I received from him. I would recommend Dr. Ganjei whole-heartedly! I'm part of the medical profession, so have high standards for health care and how it is delivered. I am also grateful to the women at the front desk who are so warmly hospitable, respectful and helpful. VRA is a well-organized, responsive organization that makes it pleasant and easier to receive needed care.
• CL

  Christian Lowe

  Jul 27, 2026
  5.0
  OK, this is literally the first time I've written a review for a vet (or anything else like this) but if it helps one person, mission accomplished. I have a neighborhood vet that I typically use for my dogs. Known them for years, close friends. I'm the type of owner that doesn't run to the vet at every crazy dog symptom, so when one of mine was clearly sick, I took to our vet and realized he hadn't been there since 2022...so that's my mentality. Fast forward to early July '26 and my other dog was very sick. Took to my vet and they referred me to VRA based on VRA's comprehensive capabilities. I was skeptical because from the images I thought it'd be like the DMV but for dogs. I could not have been more wrong. My goodness, the technical sophistication, the professionalism of not just the vets and techs, but the front desk people? Man I'm telling you, I was so pleasantly surprised. Unfortunately our pup got worse, so we needed to do the humane thing. Instead of taking her to our usual/local vet, I called VRA having no idea how to "schedule" that and they were just so nice and kind and patient. The whole process was compassionate and smooth and caring. I was blown away. Bottom line, love my old vet, but I'm switching to VRA. It might be a bit of a drive for this Inside the Beltway pet owner, but it is 100% worth it.

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