Meet the Veterinarians & Team of Bennetts Creek Veterinary Care in Suffolk! We’re pleased to provide exceptional vet care for your pets.
Please call us at 757-483-5990 to speak to one of our caring veterinary staff members.
Dr. Wichman was born in Phoenix, AZ, and grew up in Nebraska, Ohio, and finally in West Virginia. He attended West Virginia University for undergrad, and received his DVM from The University of Georgia in 1990.
He lives in Carrollton with his kids, 4 dogs and 3 cats. His hobbies include playing guitar, live music, carpentry, and finding the nicest beaches to relax on.
Dr. Johnson is married to Elizabeth, who is also a veterinarian. They have two children, Nicholas and Molly. Dr. Johnson grew up in the small town of Chapin, S.C. where he was active in track and swimming. He earned his B.S. in Biology in 1990 from Furman University and his DVM degree from the University of Georgia in 1995. Upon graduation he moved to Smithfield. Dr. Johnson has 2 dogs and 2 cats. He enjoys playing softball for Trinity UMC, working out, and yardwork.
Dr. Richie graduated from the University of Tennessee - Martin in 2003 with a degree in Animal Science. He then attended Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine on the island of St. Kitts in the eastern Caribbean and completed his final year of veterinary school at Purdue University in Indiana. He moved to Hampton, Virginia in 2007 and began working at Todds Lane Veterinary Hospital where he became medical director in 2016. He joined Bennetts Creek Veterinary Care in April 2021. His special interests include dermatology and neurology. In 2013, he married Candace Cain DVM and they moved to Suffolk in 2014. In 2015 they had a daughter, Elyse, and in 2017 they welcomed their son Milo. In addition to the children, their family includes a retired racing greyhound (Jezzy), four indoor/outdoor cats, and several rats and fish. Dr. Richie is an avid runner, plays kickball, and enjoys outdoor activities including mountaineering, backpacking, and mountain biking. He also loves the Chicago Bears and watching college football.
Dr. Ward is originally from Hampton Roads, attending Christopher Newport University, where she earned her B.S. and M.S. in Biology. She then attended Kansas State University for her DVM, graduating in 2021. Her special interests include soft tissue surgery and exotic pet medicine. In her free time, she enjoys camping, kayaking, drawing, and biking. Dr. Ward and her husband have a big pet family, including dogs, cats, reptiles, and a chinchilla.
Dr. Elizabeth Johnson is a dedicated veterinarian with over three decades of experience in animal care and medicine. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia in 1990, followed by her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) from the same institution in 1994. Her lifelong passion for animals and commitment to their well-being has made her a trusted name among pet owners and colleagues alike.
Dr. Johnson has been happily married to Dr. Robert Johnson for 29 years. Together, they have raised two wonderful children—Nick, 25, and Molly, 22—who share their parents’ love of animals. Their home is filled with furry companions, including two dogs, Bentley and Rink, and two cats, Lattimore and Biscuit.
Outside of her veterinary practice, Dr. Johnson enjoys spending time with her family, caring for her pets, and staying active in her community. Her compassionate approach to veterinary medicine and her warm, personal touch makes her beloved by both her human clients and their four-legged friends.
if you have any questions or concerns, please email her at: clinic@bcvetcare.com
Katie joined the BCVC team in November of 2015. She has a degree in Sports Medicine from Radford University and is currently in school to become a Veterinary Technician. Katie has three dogs, a Yorkie named Bentley, a Jack Russell Terrier named Bailee, and a Golden Retriever named Marlin. She also has a cat named Bacon and a horse named Big Ben.
Summer joined the BCVC team in June of 2013. She completed the Veterinary Technician program in 2018 and obtained her degree to become a Licensed Veterinary Technician. She has two dogs; Lexi and Apple, and three cats; Mangee, Biskit and Cheddar. In her free time, you can find her reading, perfecting her photography skills, or spending quality time with friends and family.
Marianne joined the BCVC team after a long hiatus from veterinary medicine. She was a licensed Veterinary Technician in South Carolina and is getting back to what she truly loves; working with animals.
Holly joined our team as a veterinary assistant in 2018. She is enrolled in a veterinary technician program at San Juan College. Holly lives in Chesapeake with her husband and two daughters. In her free time, Holly enjoys camping and spending time with her family.
Tess joined the BCVC team in 2021! She loves being a part of a caring team and helping animals of all kinds. She is working hard to finish her schooling to become a licensed veterinary technician. When Tess is not working, she loves spending time with her 3 cats, Shaq, Hakoda, and Bushka and her dog, Jellybean. She is also an avid movie watcher and loves to be surrounded by her friends and family.
Sherica joined the BCVC team in October of 2023! She moved back to the Hampton Roads from the Philippines in 2018. She has a strong passion for working with animals of all species, breeds, and sizes. She is currently continuing her education to become a veterinary technician. In her free time, she loves to go fishing, golfing, and going to the beach. Most importantly, she loves to spend time with her dog, Luna, and her two cats, Kingston and George.
Kimberly joined the BCVC team in 2021. She is enrolled at TCC in the Veterinary Technician program. While studying hard for her degree, she enjoys spending time with her dogs Maggie & Knight and reading books. She is passionate about the veterinary field and hopes to build a career helping and advocating for animals.
Olivia began her career in veterinary medicine in 2017 and has been a valued member of the BCVC team since July 2021. Originally from Missouri, she relocated to Virginia with her family in 2021. Olivia currently resides in Smithfield with her two dogs, Kona and Baylor, and her cat, Sebastian.
Corinna is the parent to energetic 4-year-old twins and has a full house that includes two dogs and five cats. Life at home is never dull! When she's not spending time with her kids and family, you'll find her lost in a good book or enjoying live music at a concert.
Allie became a part of the BCVC team in 2023, starting out as a kennel attendant at Home Away From Home, our sister boarding facility next door. She earned her veterinary assistant certification in October of 2023 and moved into her role as an assistant in January of 2024. Allie's passionate about caring for animals and hopes to continue her education to become a licensed veterinary technician. When she's not at work, she loves hanging out with her dachshund, Bookie, her parrot, Lylas, and spending time with her friends and family.
Taps is one of our resident clinic cats, and she has no doubt in her mind that she runs the place. If she’s not perched by the sink politely (or not so politely) demanding the faucet be turned on, you’ll likely find her hard at work in the treatment area—curled up next to a patient, providing warmth and moral support during dental procedures. Taps has a regal personality and considers the clinic team her loyal staff. We’re honored to serve her—whether it’s turning on the water just right or making sure her favorite blanket is freshly fluffed. Her presence brings a unique comfort to our patients and plenty of smiles to our team.
She’s not just a cat—she’s part of the crew, and she makes every day a little brighter (and a lot more hydrated).
Hannah, affectionately known as Hannah Banana, is the clinic’s resident treat connoisseur and bird-watching expert. When she’s not nibbling on her favorite crunchy treats (she's got quite the refined palate), you’ll find her perched by the window, chirping away at the birds outside. She’s convinced they’re just within reach and loves to have long, animated conversations with them.
Hannah also enjoys a good pampering session, especially when it involves a gentle face brushing. She’ll purr with delight as she soaks in all the attention, looking every bit the regal lady she is. And of course, like any cat with a fun side, she enjoys the occasional meowijuana treat to keep things lighthearted and entertaining.
With her playful spirit and love for the little things in life, Hannah Banana is always sure to brighten the clinic’s day.
Fitzgerald, affectionately known as Fitz, was our beloved Maine Coon who made his mark as one of the clinic’s most unforgettable personalities. Fitz had a way of walking through the clinic as if he owned it—whether it was casually strolling across sterile surgical gowns and shiny equipment or making a grand leap onto counters, he was always in the thick of things. His larger-than-life presence was matched only by his gentle and laid-back nature, which made him loved by all who knew him.
Fitz’s love for adventure often took him to unexpected places, and his curiosity knew no bounds. While we would laugh at his daring exploits, we all secretly cherished those moments when he'd quietly curl up and watch over us from his favorite perch, reminding us of the calm he brought to our sometimes hectic days.
Sadly, Fitz passed away in December of 2023, leaving behind a quiet space where his paws once wandered. His spirit remains in the memories of his boldness, his love for jumping into the middle of everything, and the warmth he shared with the clinic family. Though he is no longer with us, Fitz will forever be a part of our hearts, and his legacy of love, adventure, and gentle mischief lives on.
Rumble is our beloved resident cat who has officially claimed the break room as his kingdom—and we’re all just lucky to share it with him! A sweet older gentleman, Rumble spends his days lounging in sunbeams, supervising lunch breaks, and graciously accepting head scratches from staff and visitors alike. Rumble is diabetic, so while he loves the smell of your snacks, we kindly ask everyone to keep an eye on their food (he’s been known to sneak a bite when no one’s looking!). His health is carefully managed by our team, and he’s living his best, happiest life with us. Whether he’s napping on the windowsill or offering a slow blink of approval, Rumble brings comfort, charm, and a whole lot of love to our clinic every day.
Mona is our clinic's resident troublemaker, and we wouldn't have it any other way. Known for her love of cat treats, Mona has a knack for sneaking into patients' carriers and swiping a tasty snack when no one's looking. (We can’t stay mad at her for long—she's just too cute!) But that’s not where her antics end. Mona also has a special fondness for endotracheal tubes, which she steals to turn into her very own toys. It's her version of "playtime," and we let her have it—she’s the queen of fun after all.
You’ll also find Mona happily batting around tufts of hair or the occasional clipped toenail. She may seem like a bit of a scavenger, but her playful spirit keeps the clinic buzzing with joy. Mona may not follow all the rules, but she’s part of the family, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
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