COLUMBIA, MO. -- A dog with a spinal injury caused by the Joplin tornado is on the road to recovery.
MU Veterinary Medical School doctors performed surgery on a 10-year-old cocker spaniel named “Sugar”.
While her family was safe in a storm shelter, Sugar was found paralyzed in a drainage ditch several blocks from her home.
After her back surgery, physical therapists allowed Sugar to exercise in a tank of water to help stimulate her muscles.
Three weeks after the Joplin tornado, Sugar was able to walk out of the Mizzou Animal Hospital with a little help from her owners.
Sugar is now recovering with her family in Joplin.
MU Veterinary Neurologist Stephanie Gilliam said, “It was amazing. I love all of my patients. I love what I do. This was a special case and near to my heart. I can’t imagine what her owners have gone through and the people down there are still going through. It was really special to be able to help them.”
The University of Missouri Medical Teaching Hospital and College of Veterinary Medicine covered the entire cost of Sugar’s surgery and recovery.
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