In this inspiring episode of the Tough Girl Podcast, we set sail with Dr. Sheridan Lathe, aka Dr. Sheddy — a wildlife veterinarian, sailor, YouTuber, and passionate advocate for both animal and human wellness.
After years of working with domestic and exotic animals in Australia and rescuing bears in China, Dr. Sheddy took her expertise to the seas. Now based on her 37ft sailboat Chuffed, she delivers free veterinary care to animals in remote coastal communities across Central America and Mexico — reaching places where traditional care simply doesn’t exist.
She funds her work independently through Patreon and YouTube while living full-time on the water with her partner Jim. In 2024 alone, Vet Tails helped over 450 animals across 13 communities, offering everything from vaccinations to life-saving surgeries.
From sailing storms to working on polar bear rescues, dealing with typhoid, and building a life outside of convention — Dr. Sheddy is redefining what it means to live a life of purpose and impact. If you’ve ever dreamed of combining adventure, service, and personal freedom — this episode is for you.
Tune in to hear her story, the lessons she’s learned, and how you can support her mission — or maybe even start your own.
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Show notes
- Dr Sheddy
- Veterinarian and living on her sailboat in Mexico
- Delivery veterinary care to remote communities
- Growing up in a small beach town in rural Australia
- Having an affinity for animals
- Wanting to be a vet from a young age
- Vet school in Australia
- Graduating high school at 17
- Becoming a vet at 23
- Being interested in birds
- Wanting to specialist in the animals that no one else is seeing
- Wanting to focus on exotic animals
- Getting into sailing later on
- ‘Chuffed’ the boat
- 37ft mono hull, only 8 boats, made in 1990
- Paying for everything
- Patreon and YouTube
- Funding via social media
- Animals on the boat
- Working with local veterinarians
- Sailing over the past few years
- Sailing for 8 months of the year
- Doing a major refit of the boat which took 2 years
- Buying the boat in Panama
- Meeting her partner - Jim
- The covid years
- Working on a Polar Bear! (Mixed with a bit of grizzly - a golden bear!)
- Living and working in China at a bear rescue centre
- Where to next?
- Working with local communities and setting up a longer term solution
- Work life balance
- Working at a rural town in Australia
- Starting off as a new vet and the hours worked….
- Superhero culture
- Moral injury
- Giving the best care available
- Eating animals
- Getting typhoid fever in Mexico
- Not being able to gain the weight back
- Heading to small remote islands
- Wifi and keeping connected
- VHF Radio for emergency
- Starlink on boats and in remote communities
- How to support the work Dr Sheddy is doing
- Final words of advice for other women who want to follow their passions and interests
- Wanting to live life on your terms
- Using a Purpose Venn diagram
- The plan for the next few years
- Dreaming big
- Wanting to expand
Social Media
Website www.vettails.com
Instagram @dr.sheddy_the.sailing.vet
Patreon - www.patreon.com/