Bringing lifesaving veterinary care to Caribbean communities with little or no access.
OUR MISSION
Across the Caribbean, nearly a million dogs and cats go without even basic veterinary care each year — a crisis for both animals and the people who care for them.
The Heeling Vet sails directly to the islands where help is hardest to find, providing free veterinary care, medical supplies, and hands-on support for local clinics.
THE NEED
Many islands have no permanent veterinarian, and the closest help may be hours, or islands, away.
Every day, thousands of dogs and cats suffer from preventable conditions like mange, heartworm, and tick-borne diseases. These illnesses don’t just harm animals. They also threaten families and public health.
OUR WORK
Every island we visit is different, but the goal is always the same: to bring relief, build trust, and leave behind a stronger medical community to care for vulnerable animals.
The Heeling Vet does this through:
1. Direct Care
We provide free exams, vaccinations, surgeries, and emergency treatment for animals that would otherwise go untreated.
2. Medical Supplies & Medicine
We deliver life-saving antibiotics, parasite prevention and treatment as well as wound care and medical equipment— the kind of medicine and materials many clinics simply can’t access enough or can't afford.
3. Local Partnerships
We work alongside clinics and community leaders to share knowledge and supplies so that they can continue to serve their neighbors long after we sail away.
THE IMPACT
270+ HOURS WORKED
430+ ANIMALS HELPED
$25K+ ANTIBIOTICS GIVEN
In just the first season, The Heeling Vet provided more than 270 hours of no-cost veterinary care and treated over 430 animals through spay/neuter surgeries, emergency medicine, and preventative care.
We’ve also delivered more than $25,000 worth of antibiotics, vaccines, and supplies to clinics that needed them most.
The results are immediate: a puppy free from parvovirus, a cat recovering from an eye infection, a community spared from disease.
GET INVOLVED
Every dollar you give goes directly to caring for sick and injured animals and preventing disease that impacts whole communities
The Heeling Vet is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt non-profit organization!
MEET MORTY
We met Morty after he was badly attacked by another dog. After multiple surgeries, weeks of recovery, and a lot of love, his leg was saved.
Today, this Boxer mix is an athlete, a sailor, and the proud mascot of The Heeling Vet.
He’s living proof of why second chances matter. And why this mission exists.
ABOUT
I’m Dr. Adrienne Anderson, a veterinarian on a mission to reach the animals most often forgotten.
After years of practice in Colorado and Florida, I saw just how many animals around the world live without access to even the most basic care. So my family and I set sail to change that.
In January 2024, we sold nearly everything we owned, bought an old sailboat, and cast off across the Caribbean.
THE VOYAGE LOG
This year, I returned to Carriacou to help with surgery, community outreach, and emergency care. I was also able to bring another piece of medical equipment that they have been hoping for. I brought a centrifuge that allows them to make sure that patients have enough red blood cells.
I also spent an extended amount of time helping at the GSPCA over the course of several months.
I spent October through mid December helping animals in Grenada, Carriacou, and Mayreau in the Southern Caribbean. Most of my time was spent on the Island of Carriacou due to the need following Hurricane Beryl, and the amazing partnership that I was able to make with Carriacou Animal Hospital.
Upcoming Projects
I am returning to the GSPCA and Carriacou Animal Hospital this Fall and I am hoping to take an open opportunity to go to Mexico to help with a spay/neuter clinic in order to provide help while simultaneously sharpening my surgical skills.
Please keep an eye out for upcoming stories on these!
If you have a project that would benefit from the help of the Heeling Vet, please reach out to Dr. Adrienne at adrienne@heelingvet.com