Dr. Sheridan Lathe, a.k.a. Dr. Sheddy from Queensland, Australia, quit her day job and sold her belongings to set sail on a dream adventure. Initially joined by her husband, Captain Joel, the pair set sail aboard the SV Chuffed in December 2016. The couple set out with a goal to provide free veterinary care to animals in the Caribbean and Central America.
Life’s Rough Waters Won’t Slow Her Down
Dr. Sheddy is a veterinarian and Captain Joel is a marine biologist who had the dream of having his own sailboat since he was a teenager. The couple met in 2006 while in college. In addition to providing medical care and navigating the Caribbean, the couple started a YouTube Channel where they have docu-series called “Chuffed Adventures,” documenting their experiences.
Dr. Sheddy disclosed on her blog that during the travels aboard the ship, her marriage to Captain Joel sadly came to an end in 2018. That didn’t stop the super-vet her from pursuing her passion.
She wrote, “…despite the marriage breaking down onboard I feel very grateful to have been led to this amazing lifestyle.”
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A Dream Came Alive
According to Dr. Sheddy’s blog, the couple had found an aluminum boat in Panama and paid $25,000 for it. It now requires constant repairs and Dr. Sheddy manages to do many of them on her own. She is a one-woman show who won’t be slowed down!
“Joel was originally the captain and ship-repairman, but since our divorce in 2018 I have taken over as Captain, head mechanic, budgeter, video editor and veterinarian… no wonder I am busy! But I truly love living aboard and keeping my lovely girl Chuffed afloat.”
Not Just For Four-Legged Friends
This adventurous vet doesn’t limit her helping hand to just cats and dogs. Her Instagram is dotted with pictures of her helping rabbits, parrots, owls, pelicans, a cow, monkeys, a goat, a sloth, and even an anteater!
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How Does She Do It?
In case you’re wondering what “chuffed” means, Dr. Sheddy says it’s Aussie slang for pleased or content, which she says is very fitting. She says she has never been big on material things and has always chosen to spend her money on traveling instead. Savings from her previous work on land, donations from her supporters, and hospitality from the communities she visits are what keep her work going.
If you are interested in helping Dr. Sheddy save lives, you can donate to her cause here.
“You can live the life you dreamed of, where it might seem a bit impossible.
If you give up what’s not really important, and just do the things that truly are meaningful to you (and focus on them), then you can get by with very little, and really live a dream existence.” — Sheridan Lathe aka Sheddy
Toledo, United States.
