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Dr. Sheila Schmeling
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The population of Ambergris Caye has grown tremendously over the
past ten years with the increase in tourism and the marketing of our
paradise. Many people who have come to the island, whether from other
countries to work or just for vacation, return again to stay. With
them, come their families as well as their pets. Another growing
population is the animals that are left to roam the streets and add to
the number of animals needing care. This week, The San Pedro Sun is
pleased to feature a person who came to the rescue of our community and
its demand for veterinary care, Dr. Sheila Schmeling.
Sheila Schmeling was born in Brookings, South Dakota the daughter
of a career Air Force father, Lyle Schmeling and his wife Delores.
Throughout her young life, Sheila and her four brothers and sisters
lived in at least 14 different locations throughout the United States
as well as in Wurtzburg, Germany for a time.
In high school, Sheila's main interest was science so she joined a
variety of clubs and spent a lot of time backpacking with fellow
students. Graduating from Cabrillo High (California) in 1967, Sheila
continued her education at the University of Massachusetts, leaving
there in 1971 with a Bachelor's Degree in Animal Science. For the next
six years, she studied at Colorado State University (CSU), where she
received a Master's of Science Degree in Animal Nutrition and became a
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 1977.
Sheila first went to work as a Research Surgeon at CSU. There, her
job included placing experimental catheters in calves to monitor and
assist with blood flow. In 1979, she accepted a job at the National
Wildlife Health Lab of Madison, Wisconsin where she studied Bald and
Golden eagles. For the next three years, Sheila performed necropsies on
dead eagles to determine how these endangered animals had died (or were
killed).
Eventually though, like many other wildlife groups at that time,
the lab lost their government funding and the research was slowed down
temporarily. Following more than a decade of study and research, Sheila
decided this was a good time to take a break and do something more
adventurous, so she joined the Peace Corps.
In 1982, Sheila arrived in Belize City, at a time when the British
were preparing to leave the newly independent nation. She immediately
went to work for the Government of Belize teaching laboratory
technician courses and working at the government veterinary clinic.
Sheila recalled, "The city was fun then. You could walk anywhere at any
time and feel safe." At that time, Orange Walk and Cayo Districts had
veterinary services, so Sheila was sent to Corozal to be the government
veterinarian for that district. This is where she fell in love with the
people and the animals of Belize. So much so, that when her three-year
stay in the Peace Corp was over in 1985, Sheila returned to Belize to
open her own private veterinary practice in Corozal and has remained
since that time.
Sheila first discovered the island of Ambergris Caye approximately
15 years ago at the request of the Krueger family, the original owners
of El Pescador fishing resort. From caring for their animals, her
reputation grew and she was asked to return to do spay and neuter
clinics to sterilize the growing number of pets living on the island.
From that time on, she continued to perform this service, three or four
times a year in San Pedro as well as Caye Caulker.
Last October, Sheila accepted an offer from the Saga Humane Society
to conduct a weekly veterinary clinic on the island after their
resident veterinarian returned to England. She now offers her services
every Friday so that the Society can maintain health care for the
island's growing animal population. The doctor commented, "I enjoy my
trips out to the island and working with Saga's volunteers because of
their commitment to providing a service for the island's animals."
When she's not working for herself or on the cayes, Sheila also
volunteers her time twice a month to the Belize Zoo. She explained this
began from an association with Richard Foster, a wildlife film producer
who hired her to oversee the healthcare of several captive animals he
used in his productions back in the early 80s. "He used these animals
to film scenes for documentaries about Belize such as ëPath of the Rain
Gods' and several other pieces. Eventually, production came to an end
and the film company didn't want to pay for the upkeep of these wild
animals so the caretaker, (Sharon Matola), was instructed to destroy
(kill) them." Sheila added that since the remaining British soldiers in
Belize often visited the animals, Matola stepped in and decided to
begin charging a fee for this privilege, in order to finance the cost
of feeding them. After receiving a donation of land to house the
animals as well, the Belize Zoo was born. Dr. Sheila stated her most
outstanding achievement so far, came from removing a cancerous kidney
from one of the jaguars at the zoo. "Many of the zoo animals are
elderly now and have a variety of health problems related to their age.
It is very rewarding to care for them." She also vaccinates, tends to
injuries, and oversees the rehabilitation of the zoo's "residents."
In her spare time, Sheila does not relax in front of the TV, but
chooses to read science fiction or do handicrafts. She is quite fond of
crocheting, knitting and tatting - an almost "lost art" from which she
produces very intricate, detailed lace-type doilies or other decorative
pieces.
When asked about her future in Belize, Dr. Schmeling stated, "I'll
stay as long as I'm working. I love the critters here."
The country of Belize is indeed blessed with the many volunteers
who come to help in one way or another, and even more so from the ones
who return to continue their mission. As well, the island of Ambergris
Caye is very fortunate to have the services of a qualified veterinarian
who will travel across the bay every week to help care for their pets.
On behalf of the residents of San Pedro and the many animals she
cares for, we thank Dr. Sheila Schmeling for her generosity and for
traveling every week to provide a much-needed service in "Our
Community".
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