Community surprises veterinarian with Aggie Ring

Despite earning all three degrees from Texas A&M University, equine veterinarian Dr. Rohn Hendricks ’76 never got around to ordering his Aggie Ring.

“When I was a junior in ’75 they were $90, and I didn’t have $90,” Hendricks said. “I figured I’d get it later and just never did. There was always something else to do.”

Hendricks has worked in the equine veterinary field since 1999, and Abigail Lee ’23 has been a client at his practice in Waxahachie for a few years. This allowed a friendship to bloom. Lee received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Texas A&M, and, like Hendricks, she plans to pursue a Ph.D. in veterinary research at A&M.

“Our relationship started out with him coming out for animals, [and] he quickly became my mentor, but it then transitioned into friends,” Lee said. “He could easily do his job and then leave, but he takes time to connect and create that relationship. He learns [his clients’] interests and will recall even the smallest detail when he sees them again, no matter how long it has been.”

During an appointment in May 2024, Lee learned that he never ordered and received his own Ring.

“I made a mental note,” Lee said.

In June, Lee started a GoFundMe to raise money to order one for him. She shared the fundraiser to the Waxahachie community Facebook page, and the efforts grew from there, with people sharing the post to various Aggie groups.

“I was just the person that got the word out and started it, and it just created a life of its own,” Lee said, emphasizing the amount of people who got word of the fundraiser. I’ve never seen anything like it.

 “When I say everyone [saw it], I don’t mean just his clients -- his past roommates, his childhood friends, his band members, his Corps members. It was crazy how many people got wind of this.”

Despite the amount of attention this received on social media, it was kept a secret from Hendricks. “I’m not on social media at all. I don’t even have Facebook,” Hendricks said. “So it was pretty easy for them to get it together, evidently.”

The funds for Hendricks’ Ring were raised in two weeks, allowing Lee to order the Ring in time for November pickup. However, the community appreciation didn’t stop there; Lee began organizing a surprise ceremony in September.

Under the guise of a pre-Thanksgiving celebration after a service at Hendricks’ home church, community members, friends and family gathered for the surprise celebration, bringing his favorite food and drinks.

“It’s nice to be appreciated by your clients and the people you touch in their lives, and it was nice to see them come from all over the state to see me,” Hendricks said.

Guests were invited to write words of appreciation for Hendricks in a guestbook and made sure to get an up-close look at Hendricks’ Ring and extend their congratulations.

“I’ve heard so many inspiring stories from people in the community about Dr. Hendricks,” Lee said. “He is well loved by many people and by their equine. His love for A&M is contagious and makes others love the school as well!”