Lenor Zeeh (BS ’36 Pharm)

Mac the Miracle Dog

John “Jack” (’65 Economics) and Margo Edl of Wayne, Illinois have long been associated with the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Both attended the UW in the 1960s, meeting in a lunch line in the Commons of the Elm Drive dorms. Following Jack’s graduation, their marriage and several moves around the United States, the Edls remain in touch and engaged with UW-Madison.

Their experience with the School of Veterinary Medicine (SVM) prompted them to create a scholarship and provide support for the School’s capital campaign. Their Mac the Miracle Dog Scholarship memorializes their Brittany spaniel, who was seen at the SVM from 1999 until his death in 2001. When Mac fell ill in 1999, his local veterinarian believed nothing could be done to save his life. Undaunted, the Edls drove Mac from their Wayne, Illinois home to UW-Madison for a second opinion. UW veterinarians diagnosed Mac with an E.coli infection and gave him a two percent chance of survival.

When the Edls later visited Mac, Margo is convinced Mac had a smile on his face as he walked down the hall with an IV pole attached and a technician trailing behind. Although his kidneys had been heavily damaged by the bacteria, Mac was able to return home after a 17-day stay.

“Mac’s internist was his advocate; she was always thinking about our dog,” Margo said. “He got such loving care there.” The internist arranged for Mac to participate in a Cornell University study for dogs with kidney damage, which ultimately improved his quality of life.

The Mac the Miracle Dog Scholarship will be awarded to a veterinary student who exhibits a special presence and excellent bedside manner with patients and their families. “The scholarship gift from the Edls comes at an especially important time,” said SVM Dean Daryl Buss. “Many of our students struggle to achieve their dream of a career in veterinary medicine because of the debt burden they carry. This scholarship is a wonderful investment in the people who will become the future of veterinary medicine.”

The Edls also have made a gift to support the School’s capital campaign, which is raising funds for a new small and large animal hospital. Their gift, targeted for the Commons area of the animal hospital, will help provide additional space for “students, faculty and staff to gather and discuss difficult cases, share ideas about innovative care and create linkages for new research,” said Dean Buss. “It will help to draw the blueprint of veterinary medicine for the future.”

Having spent time in the existing Commons and waiting area in the small animal hospital, Margo said, “there is such positive interaction that happens there—students engaged in interesting conversations and pet owners discussing their situations.” She understands the need for more space. The SVM projected a caseload of 10,000 when it was built 20 years ago; today, the caseload is more than 17,500 and continues to climb due to the expansion of services and facilities for oncology, organ transplantation and cardiology. “This is where cases of last resort are seen,” said Margo. “Pet owners are confident their animal is getting the best care possible.”

Since the time that Mac was being treated, Margo has joined the School’s board of visitors. She has become more aware of the outstanding research being done at the SVM and has seen many areas where research that is helping animals is being transferred to humans. She points to studies on cancer, multiple sclerosis and organ transplantation conducted at the School. Margo thinks the SVM is poised to take a leadership role in these critical areas. She also realizes that facilities need to be expanded and improved to accommodate this type of work.