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Story contact: Nicholas Childress, CVMMarCom@missouri.edu
Photos by Karen Clifford
Before their neighbors knew Jack and Quenadyne Sterrett by name, they knew Maggie Moo. Twice a day, the long-haired Alsatian German shepherd rode alongside Jack in his golf cart, turning heads and drawing smiles everywhere she went.
When Maggie Moo began limping and slowing down, the Sterretts scheduled a visit with their local veterinarian. What first appeared to be a mobility issue soon revealed something more serious, prompting a referral to the specialists at the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine’s Veterinary Health Center (VHC). There, her care quickly evolved into a complex case involving multiple specialties working together to diagnose and treat her condition.
At Mizzou, the Sterretts found not only advanced, compassionate care for Maggie Moo, but also an experience that inspired them to give back in support of future patients and continued advancements in animal health.
Years before bringing Maggie Moo to Mizzou, the Sterretts experienced the college’s impact firsthand in Southern California. Their miniature dachshund, Frankie Lou, suddenly became paralyzed due to a spinal condition and was treated by a neurosurgeon who was a graduate of Mizzou’s College of Veterinary Medicine.
Seeing the full picture
Like many patients who come to the VHC, Maggie Moo first underwent a thorough diagnostic workup so her care team could pinpoint the source of her lameness and develop the best treatment plan moving forward. Advanced imaging revealed the issue was tied to her knee, but it also uncovered something no one was expecting: cancerous tumors that required immediate attention.
“After visits with orthopedics, neurology and oncology, Maggie Moo underwent surgery to remove cancerous tumors,” Quenadyne Sterrett said. “Once she recovered, we were able to move forward with her knee surgery.”
As Maggie Moo’s care evolved, so did the number of teams involved in helping her. Specialists worked together to guide her treatment, while keeping the Sterretts informed through each step and decision along the way.
“From beginning to end, what stood out to us was the thoroughness, the intellect and the kindness of everyone helping us,” Jack Sterrett said. “Not just the veterinarians, but the entire team. Everyone was incredibly helpful and compassionate.”
For Quenadyne, one of the most meaningful parts of the experience was how much time each team devoted to helping them understand what was happening and what came next.
“No one was ever in a rush,” she said. “They sat with us, answered every question and walked us through every decision. It really was a very human journey, and we always felt included in her care planning.
Gratitude and giving back
Today, Maggie Moo is back at home enjoying life with her family. The Sterretts say they’re grateful for the additional time and quality of life they have been able to share with her.
“She’s still our old Maggie,” Quenadyne said. “Her appetite is great; she loves being outside in the sun and still thinks the Amazon delivery driver is her worst enemy.”
Watching Maggie Moo return to the routines and personality traits they know so well only deepened the Sterretts’ appreciation for the care she received at Mizzou. Their experience ultimately inspired the couple to give back to the College of Veterinary Medicine in support of future patients and continued advancements in animal health.
“Seeing the level of research, technology and care happening at the College of Veterinary Medicine was eye-opening,” Quenadyne said. “None of that comes free, and we knew we wanted to help support it. Maggie Moo is still here getting to enjoy life with us, and we hope our gift can help other families have that same experience with the pets they love.”