Chiropractic Care for Dogs, Right Where They're Comfortable
Silver Oak Chiropractic is a mobile dog chiropractor serving Jacksonville, FL and the surrounding communities. Instead of loading a stiff or sore dog into the car, you book online and Dr. Michele Petrilli, DC, cAVCA, comes to you. Your dog is adjusted at home, on familiar ground, with no waiting room.
Dr. Petrilli earned his Doctor of Chiropractic from Palmer College of Chiropractic in Port Orange, FL, then completed his animal chiropractic certification through the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association (AVCA) at Parker University in 2022. He holds a B.S. in Biology from the University of North Florida and is an active member of both the AVCA and the Florida Chiropractic Association.
This page is your starting point for canine chiropractic at Silver Oak: how care works, who it helps, how red light therapy fits in, and what a visit looks like. Mobile visits are available across Jacksonville, St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra, Orange Park, and St. Johns.
What Canine Chiropractic Can Help With
Canine chiropractic is a hands-on approach that looks at how your dog's spine and joints are moving. Gentle, specific adjustments aim to restore more comfortable motion and support the nervous system that runs through the spine.
Dog owners in Jacksonville most often reach out about:
- Back pain or neck pain, or a dog that has become reluctant to jump, take the stairs, or be picked up
- Hip and limb discomfort, including support for dogs with hip dysplasia
- Mobility support for dogs with IVDD (intervertebral disc disease) or cervical IVDD, alongside veterinary care
Chiropractic for dogs also suits senior dogs who are slowing down, athletic dogs in agility, conformation, or show work, and dogs recovering from surgery or injury once their veterinarian has cleared them. Chiropractic is not a replacement for veterinary care, and Dr. Petrilli works alongside your vet throughout.
Meet Dr. Petrilli, Your Jacksonville Animal Chiropractor
Dr. Petrilli has a long history in competitive animal sports, from hunter/jumper shows to AKC Nationals. He knows firsthand what agility, conformation, and show dogs ask of their bodies, and he brings the same attention to a family dog who just wants to get back on the couch.
For dogs, he also uses manual traction, a gentle form of spinal decompression taught in his AVCA post-graduate training. Traction is used with dogs and cats only. When it fits your dog's plan, he can show you how to support it at home between visits.
Visits are no-rush. You will leave knowing which areas were adjusted and what to watch for over the next few days. To learn more about his background, visit the About page.
Targeted Red Light Therapy, Added to Your Dog's Visit
An Optional Add-On Used Alongside Chiropractic Care
Some dogs benefit from extra, focused support during their chiropractic visit. For them, Dr. Petrilli offers targeted red light therapy as an add-on. He uses a handheld Animasol® applicator, so he can aim the light at the specific muscles and joints he found during your dog's exam instead of treating the whole body.
The device combines three therapeutic wavelengths, and each one reaches a different depth:
- Blue light (430nm) works at the surface level.
- Red light (630nm and 650nm) reaches up to 10mm into the tissue, to help calm inflammation and support soft tissue repair.
- Near-infrared light (810nm and 850nm) reaches up to 50mm, for deeper muscle and joint support.
Used together, the three create a layered approach to comfort and recovery. Treatment is noninvasive, generally well tolerated, and happens during the same at-home visit as your dog's adjustment.
Red light therapy is a wellness modality used alongside chiropractic care. It does not cure any disease, and it is not a substitute for your veterinarian's diagnosis or treatment. Every dog responds differently. Learn more on our red light therapy page. (BEMER blanket therapy, which you may see elsewhere on our site, is for horses only.)
What to Expect at Your Dog's First Visit
We Come to You
A Hands-On Assessment
Gentle Adjustments and a Plan
How Chiropractic Care May Help Your Dog
Every dog responds differently, and results are never guaranteed. As care progresses, owners commonly notice changes like these:
- Easier movement, such as getting up from lying down, climbing stairs, or hopping into the car with less hesitation
- More comfort when touched or handled along the back and neck
- More confidence on walks and in play, and for performance dogs, in training and competition
For senior dogs, the goal is often keeping them comfortable and moving well for as long as possible. You can read more in our post on how chiropractic care helps senior and arthritic pets, or see how canine care fits into our broader animal chiropractic services.
Dr. Petrilli is a Board Certified Animal Chiropractor through the American Veterinarian Chiropractic Association (AVCA).
Dr. Michele Petrilli
Book NowDog Chiropractic FAQs
A canine chiropractic adjustment is $125 for a 60-minute mobile visit, booked online through Jane. You can see every visit type, including animal telehealth, on our pricing page.
Yes. Silver Oak Chiropractic is a mobile practice, so Dr. Petrilli visits dogs at home across Jacksonville, St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra, Orange Park, and St. Johns. If an in-person visit isn't practical, animal telehealth consults are also available.
Usually not right away. Your veterinarian should see your dog first. After an acute episode, Dr. Petrilli generally recommends waiting about 4 to 6 weeks so your dog can stabilize under veterinary care before chiropractic begins.
It can be part of a supportive care plan for many dogs with IVDD or hip dysplasia, depending on the dog. Dr. Petrilli uses low-force techniques and works within your veterinarian's diagnosis and recommendations. If chiropractic isn't a good fit for your dog, he will tell you.
No. Red light therapy is an additional wellness modality that Dr. Petrilli uses alongside your dog's chiropractic visit. It does not cure any disease and does not replace your veterinarian's diagnosis or treatment, so keep your vet involved in your dog's care.
It depends on your dog's age, activity level, and what is going on. Some dogs come in for an occasional wellness adjustment, while dogs with ongoing issues or a busy competition schedule often do well with regular visits. Dr. Petrilli will suggest a schedule after the first visit.
Gentle Chiropractic Care for Your Dog, at Home in Jacksonville
Book a 60-minute mobile visit online in a few clicks, and ask about adding targeted red light therapy. Same-day appointments are often available.
