Dr. Richard J. Sheehan Sr., one of the most respected and admired equine veterinarians in New England and beyond during his illustrious career, passed away Sept. 30 with his family by his side in Mansfield, Mass. He was 91.
"Doc" Sheehan served on several committees of the American Association of Equine Practitioners and as the organization's president in 1987. He also served on the Council of Education for the American Veterinary Medical Association, which is responsible for the accreditation of North American veterinary colleges.
Sheehan, who is a graduate of the Cornell University School of Veterinary Medicine, maintained an extensive practice at the racetracks on the old New England circuit and consulted with Thoroughbred owners throughout the country before retirement at 70.
In the 1970s, the recognized expert on lameness realized that New England was in dire need of additional veterinary hospitals and a veterinary college, so he served on the committee whose work resulted in the establishment by Tufts University of the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine.
"I remember him from way back and he was the best vet and a true gentleman from the old school. He was wonderful in every way. He was good, he was kind, and he gave you the best advice and gave your horse the best care. I still have a horse today who owes her life to him," said owner and breeder Susan Walsh, the former chief state steward at Suffolk Downs. "He was also a very good mentor. He always had a veterinary college student riding along with him."
Jay Merriman, DVM, wrote in an online post, "He was a mentor for us younger vets. He upheld the highest standards of medicine and ethics. His words and advice were treasured by his colleagues and clients."
In 1997, Dr. Sheehan was the recipient of the prestigious New England Turf Writers Sam McCracken Award, which recognized his lifetime contributions to New England racing. His numerous awards and honors include recognition from the ASPCA and the Governor's Special Commendation for work on the Advisory Board of the Massachusetts Horse Racing Commission.
Sheehan, who was previously the veterinary chairman for the Morris Animal Foundation, was born in East Boston, Mass., in the shadow of Suffolk Downs. To help out his large family, he got a job walking hots at the racetrack in the early mornings before going to class at Sacred Heart Grammer School. As his family tells the story, by high school he was "hooked on working with horses" and quit school to travel with them year-round to other circuits.
His dreams of becoming a Thoroughbred trainer were interrupted when he was drafted into the Korean War. Though offered the opportunity to attend officer's training, he declined and was instead sent to endure some of that war's worst battles. When discharged with the rank of sergeant in 1954, he headed straight back to the racetrack and was hired as a groom by trainer Lyle Whiting.
He eventually received his high school equivalency diploma and through the GI Bill was able to receive his education in the pre-veterinary program at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst flagship campus and Cornell to realize his dream. After graduating in 1963 with his veterinary degree he headed straight back to the New England tracks with his wife, Jane, and their young children at the time.
Sheehan is survived by his wife of 66 years; his children Elizabeth J. Sheehan, Mary A. Bai and Alex Bai, Richard J. Sheehan, Jr. DVM and Jana Sheehan, Carolyn A. Sheehan and William Legenza, and Diana Sheehan and Ethan Halm; and four grandchildren.
His son, Richard J. Sheehan Jr., DVM, joined his practice and continues his enduring legacy. In 2014, he followed in his father's footsteps to receive the Sam McCracken Memorial Award and be similarly honored 17 years afterward.
"Doc was the best vet and he produced one of the best in his son," said Walsh.
Visiting Hours are Oct. 4 from 5-8:00 p.m. at the Sherman & Jackson Funeral Home, 55 North Main Street, Mansfield, Mass. The funeral mass will be celebrated Oct. 5 at 11:00 a.m. in Saint Mary's Church, 330 Pratt Street (Route 106), Mansfield. Burial with military honors will follow at Saint Mary's Cemetery in Mansfield.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the New England Veterinary Scholarship Trust in his honor https://www.veterinaryscholarshiptrust.org/donate.html or to the Veterinary Scholarship Trust of New England, P.O. Box 3221, North Attleboro, Mass., 02761.
