[2] Sheila attended the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies at University of Edinburgh, getting her BVM&S qualification in 1988.

[1][3] She worked in a mixed practice for two years at Driffield, East Yorkshire[4] and then moved to the Scottish Borders area in Scotland where she had mixed practice roles, also in Biggar and Peebles.

[b][1] In June 2011, following the departure of incumbent Simon Hall, she became the acting CVO of Scotland, and in October 2012, was appointed permanently for the position.

[1][6][3][7] In 2018, Voas was awarded an Associate membership with the Royal Agricultural Societies (ARAgS).

[8][failed verification][7] In 2019, she was awarded an honorary fellowship from the Moredun Research Institute for services to livestock health and welfare in Scotland.