Dr. Benson wanted to be a veterinarian her whole life. When she was five years old she told her family that is what she wanted to be when she grew up. She lived in Colorado and Alabama before settling in New Mexico where her family still lives. She graduated from New Mexico State University for undergraduate school and then moved to Louisiana to attend Tulane University for her Master’s degree. She attended Louisiana State University for veterinary school.

Dr. Benson moved to Nevada and has been practicing veterinary medicine in the area since 2006. She has worked at Sunridge Animal Hospital and South Valley Animal Hospital. In October of 2018, she became the practice manager at West Russell Animal Hospital.

In her spare time, she enjoys reading, jogging, and most importantly spending time with her husband and fur family. Her husband introduced her to Great Danes, a breed that she now can’t live without.

Dr. Cheryl Kaku was born and raised in Palo Alto, California. She always had a passion to work with animals as long as she can remember. In high school, Dr. Kaku started working in the veterinary field as a receptionist then a technician. She received her Bachelor’s degree from UCLA, then went on to veterinary school at St. George’s University on the island of Grenada in the Caribbean. Dr. Kaku completed her 4th-year clinical rotations at NC State University. After graduation, she went back to California then moved to Illinois for a year and a half before moving to Las Vegas in December 2018. Dr. Kaku’s world revolves around my 3 chubby Chihuahuas (Ringo, Kimchi, and Draymond) that love to be spoiled. She enjoys spending time with her family and furbabies, eating all types of food, watching movies, going to concerts, rollerblading, taekwondo, and Muay Thai kickboxing.

Leah was born and raised in Salinas, California. She has been with the West Russell team since 2015.  Her main passions in the veterinary field are dental procedures, surgical assistance, and performing venipuncture. She has a spoiled Maltese named Manolo. Outside of work she enjoys watching football, a die-hard Raider fan, and spending time with her family.