Edward Migneco, MU DVM ’86 and a volunteer with several animal welfare groups including Stray Rescue of St. Louis, has been named 2007 Veterinarian of the Year by The Hartz Mountain Corporation.

Hartz created its award in 2001 to honor veterinarians who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to patients their families and to their communities.

Dr. Migneco balances his community outreach efforts while running his veterinary practice at the Hillside Animal Hospital in St. Louis. Dr. Migneco is also involved in promoting spaying and neutering to counter pet overpopulation. He is also a diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners.

One of the most prominent memories Dr. Migneco has of his years as a veterinarian involves a stray dog named Powder who lived in an abandoned house. It took months of daily feedings and contact before a local rescue volunteer could capture him and bring him into Dr. Migneco for treatment.

Dr. Migneco examined Powder and found him to be suffering from multiple problems including mange, malnutrition, intestinal parasites, and heartworm disease. Powder remained in the clinic for several weeks. Powder is now living with a family, but still visits the clinic for yearly exams.

Another case concerns Calypso, a mixed breed stray that roamed the streets of East St. Louis. Like many of the other strays in that area, a group of volunteers would bring food to her each day. One day, a volunteer with the rescue group found her lying on the side of the road. At first, the rescue volunteer thought that she was dead, but on further inspection, she was found to be alive, but only barely. She was immediately brought to Dr. Migneco for help.

Dr. Migneco stabilized Calypso and examined her. Like most of the strays he treats, she suffered from many ailments, including heartworm disease, intestinal parasites, and malnutrition. In addition to that, large wounds on her head and neck had become infected and infested with maggots.

“It took us several hours to clean out Calypso’s wounds," Dr. Migneco said. "She was so weak that there was no need for sedation. We applied new bandages and medications to her wounds each day. Through it all, she would lick our faces while we were treating her."

"Dr. Migneco’s commitment to veterinary medicine and his community has touched the lives of many animals and people," said Dr. Jill Richardson, director of Consumer Relations at Hartz Mountain.

Dr. Migneco was nominated for the award by Dr. Micah Young, MU DVM ’02 and an associate veterinarian at his veterinary hospital.

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