April 23, 1957
Theresa (Terry) was born to Blake and MaryJean Bequin. She had one brother Clint who was a year younger, who died as a boy. She was raised on a ranch south of Rushville to a family who raised cattle, horses and loved rodeos. She went to a little one room country school and then attended high school in Rushville. She attended CSC in pre-veterinary medicine. Then Terry went to Iowa to Veterinary school. Her plan was always to come back to Western Nebraska and practice veterinary medicine, especially large animals (cattle and horses). She married Bernard Strong and they have one child Charmayne who has followed in her mama’s footsteps as she is becoming a veterinarian and also rodeoed through college and continues to rodeo when she has time.
There are no struggles Dr. Beguin-Strong can’t overcome and she has had many. The first unforeseen obstacle was shortly after graduation. Dr. Beguin-Strong worked hard through vet school so she could go back to western Nebraska and serve the community she called home. However, when she returned home the town veterinary clinic would not hire her, because she was a woman. The local veterinarian did not think that she would “fit” into his clinic. Instead of giving up on her dream, Dr. Beguin-Strong started her own business from her pickup. Hard as it was, she saved enough to build her own very successful clinic.
All cowboys have some hard luck stories, struggles and obstacles, but few have faced what happened to Dr. Beguin-Strong the winter of 1996. What started as a normal Saturday morning ended abruptly as she walked into her clinic and was brutally attacked by an escaped convict. She fought, but when he couldn’t physically overcome her, shot her four times, the most devastating to her face. He then stole her pickup and left her for dead. She did not lay there to die, instead she struggled to the highway and flagged down a car. Dr. Bequin-Strong fought hard through the first twenty-four hours of reconstructive surgery, days in the ICU, and then the following months going through surgery after surgery to put the pieces of a battered and broke body back together. Did this traumatize her? Certainly! Did she close the door of the clinic? Not Dr. Beguin-Strong! She was committed to her patients, clients and her veterinary business. She started working on paperwork while still in a hospital bed, using the only good hand she had at the time. And two days after being discharged she walked back into her clinic and continued her life’s passion.
After the suffering and anguish she experiences, it would be easier to turn her feelings off and become callused. However, Dr. Beguin-Strong was even more compassionate and determined. She can often be seen crying right along with her patients when she has to put down their pet. And her determination to continue in the profession she loves is proven by the fact that she has been in business for over forty years. She is resolved to provide quality and professional veterinary care for her community. And there is not a kid in Rushville that she wouldn’t provide a horse for and guidance if they are interested in trying the rodeo lifestyle.
Aside from serving the National Veterinarian of Medicine Association as the District 7 treasurer, Dr. Beguin-Strong is also active as a parish council member for her church, and an active legion auxiliary member (her father was in Korea and her husband in Vietnam). She has served on the school board and donates her time to the Sheridan County FFA, 4-H and Girl Scout clubs to educate children on animal care. She also is the head of organizing the annual rodeo and keeps the arena updated. She was recognized with a belt buckle for continuing this annual rodeo. She has taken time to speak to the PPVM VBMA club and the Chadron State College pre-vet club about how to face and overcome the struggles of starting an downing your own business. As far as awards other than the multitude of belt buckles from her rodeo she is very humble and would never put herself up for an award.