10/16/2026
Ninety years ago, in October 1936, a Canadian veterinarian named Dr. Homer Denowitz opened a small primary care practice in Tenleytown neighborhood of Washington, DC. He named it Friendship, after the nearby Friendship Heights neighborhood. It turned out to be the perfect name.
Today, Friendship Hospital for Animals turns 90. 🎉
Along the way, Friendship has:
🐾 Cared for DC’s animals through a world war, hurricanes, blackouts, and a pandemic
🐾 Launched a rotating internship in 1984 that has trained 299 interns, now practicing and leading all over the country
🐾 Grown from one practice into two locations, with about 100 veterinarians and more than 50 consecutive years of AAHA accreditation
🐾 Recently issued its one-millionth invoice (since June 2010), which means a million times someone trusted this team with an animal they love
But the real history of Friendship isn’t in the milestones. It’s in the technician who stays late so a teammate can get home, the doctor who sits on the floor with a frightened dog, and the intern who calls an owner at 3am with good news.
To everyone who has ever worn a Friendship badge, past and present: thank you! Here’s to the next chapter and the road to 100.
Happy 90th birthday, FHA! 💙
🎂 Today marks an incredible milestone—90 years of caring for the pets of Washington, DC! 🎉
Since opening our doors on October 16, 1936, Friendship Hospital for Animals has been honored to serve generations of beloved cats, dogs, and their families. 🐱🐶
A heartfelt thank you to every client, patient, and dedicated team member who has been part of our journey. Your trust and support inspire us every day, and we look forward to many more years of compassionate care together.
Here's to the next chapter! 🥂✨
