St. Johns Magazine March 2023

photo by Ozzy Trevino Photography

About Us

Photos by Ozzy Trevino Photography

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The Draw of Northern St. Johns

“Residing in Saint Johns County offers the best of all worlds for people who appreciate the conveniences of downtown culture, (JAX) ol’ town history (St. Augustine), and being 20 minutes or less to the River or the ocean. A staycation lifestyle feels like ‘luxury’ living!”

—Nikki-Lyn Holm

Love Where You Live

As one of the top-ranked real estate groups in Northeast Florida, they possess a deep awareness of home trends in our region, and part of this is knowing details about the hottest communities in Northern St. Johns for buyers and sellers. In this issue, The Coastal Home Group is excited to share their insights with you about the local market, and some of the most popular communities that their buyers are falling in love with.

Q. What are most buyers looking for in Northern St. Johns?

A. Communities with amenities that offer events and opportunities for making friends and new connections.

Q. Why is northern St. Johns such a sought-after area?

A. I would say it is the proximity to the ocean, the river, and all the conveniences of a work-life-education balance.

Q. Has inflation affected home prices?

A. Absolutely it has. We are starting to see a more balanced, and “normalized market” where it is a more equalized playing field for sellers and buyers.

Q. Would you say it is a buyer’s market or a seller’s market right now?

A. Homes are selling in 30-60 days if priced, shown, and marketed professionally and accurately. The market is definitely becoming more balanced and “normal” as compared to last year.

What are a few of the most popular choices among established or semiestablished neighborhoods?

Nocatee │ Durbin Crossing

│Beacon Lake │ Shearwater, Rivertown │Bartram Ranch

What are a few of the popular newer communities?

Silverleaf │ Middlebourne

Trailmark Cordova Palms

│Trailmark │Brookside Preserve

Sherri Fay

The Coastal Home Group’s

Hottest

Here are The Coastal Home Groups Top 7 Communities,

Trailmark

Want to go to the beach? Outlet shopping? Or a night out on the town? Downtown St. Augustine is only a hop, skip, and jump away! Tara Lives in Trailmark, and prior to selling real estate, she was first a friend and client of NikkiLyn Holm. Why did she choose Trailmark for her family? She says the outdoor vibes of living in a community, nestled away with beautiful old, oak trees, and amenities is a major draw.

AMENITIES

Zero gravity pool along a gorgeous lake State-of-the-art fitness center

Tennis and pickleball

Basketball courts

Dog park

Over ten miles of nature trails

Kayak launch along Six-mile creek

“I love Trailmark because it’s a tucked away gem with an outdoor lifestyle.”

Rivertown

We love Rivertown because of the serenity along the water, it makes you feel like you’re on vacation. A gorgeous master-planned community along the St. Johns River. Centrally located between Jacksonville and St. Augustine, with a boardwalk where you can kayak, fish, and catch some of the most amazing sunsets!

AMENITIES

Infinity pool along the river

A private cafe

Waterfront amphitheater

Game room

Miles of trails

Dog parks

Many playgrounds are nestled within the community and more.

Beachwalk

Known for its gorgeous crystal clear lagoon, spans over 14 acres. The lagoon is surrounded by a white sand beach where you can swim, kayak, paddle board, and have fun in the sun. Beachwalk has a range of stylish homes from single-family to luxury villas. The location is great as it is close to 95, Ponte Vedra and Saint Augustine beaches, and much more!

AMENITIES

Waterslide

Swim-up bar

Members-only Beach Club Restaurant

Fitness center

Tennis Courts

Tiny Putting Course

Shearwater

Shearwater offers some of the best amenities around. Their fitness center is state of the art, it feels like a true health club. They offer a resort-style lagoon pool with a slide, as well as a multi-lane lap pool. The Lazy Bird River is the longest lazy river in Northeast Florida. The Kayak Club is the heart of Shearwater with a central hub for recreation and relaxation. Plenty of comfortable seating and large televisions make it perfect for watching the big game, as well as areas for grilling, a board room, a snack shack, and more.

AMENITIES

Community Gardens

Lazy River

Kayak Launch

Yoga Lawn

Tennis

Oversized Fitness Center

Free-Range playgrounds

2 Dog Parks

With over 13 miles of trails, it offers the perfect scenery for family bike rides, jogs, walks, and nature runs too. These green and shaded trails run through the entire community, connecting residents not just to nature but to each other.

“I love Trailmark because it’s a tucked away gem with an outdoor lifestyle.”

-Tara Masters

including some highlighted amenities, as per their client popularity in more detail…

“I love that Beachwalk makes me feel like I’m on vacation everyday. Beautiful crystal clear lagoon, private beach, and swim-up bar...amazing place to live!”

-Jenna Barley

COmmunities

Silverleaf

An expanding Master-planned community with a variety of different styles of homes to fit the needs of everyone. Another golf cart community is projected to have over 16,000 homes and to be one of the largest communities in Northeast Florida. Excellent location, close to historic downtown Saint Augustine and close to Jacksonville as well. Silverleaf has so much to offer for a fun active lifestyle, and you don’t even have to worry about CDD fees.

AMENITIES

Resort-style amenity center

Multiple pools

Neighborhood parks

Tennis courts & pickleball

Over 4,350 acres of natural preserve

Walking and Bike paths

Commercial space with exciting businesses opening up soon!

Nocatee

Nocatee is a fan favorite, for sure. Consistently voted one of the best-selling master-planned communities in America, this welcoming coastal community has a place for everyone. Offering residents a pocket community lifestyle is a high priority, so there is no lack of walking paths, biking trails, golf-cart paths, and more. A strong commitment to preserving the natural beauty of the area can be found throughout, with numerous parks, hiking trails, and open spaces available for residents to enjoy. The community amenities are second to none and boast a townlike feel shopping center, numerous dining options, multiple A-rated schools, resort-style amenities, sports facilities, farmer’s markets, and spectacular resident events. New neighborhoods are continuously popping up, and options are aplenty for individuals seeking new construction for their future homes. We can’t forget the location. Nocatee’s geography provides easy access to both Jacksonville and St. Augustine, making it an ideal spot for those who work in these cities but prefer a more suburban and peaceful setting to call home.

AMENITIES

Splash Park & Spray Park

Rip Tide Slide is the Largest Water Slide in NE Fl

Lazy River

Event Lawn & Amphitheater

Kayak Launch

Crosswater Hall

Fitness Centers

Multiple pools

Adults Only Pool

Bars and Grill at the Pool

Ziplining

Beacon Lake

“You’ll love living here!” The signs are everywhere as you drive through this perfectly sized community for enjoying all the detailed amenities, but also for making connections along the way. The Lake House Amenity & Fitness Center offers fun activities for everyone. Popular amenities that reinforce why you will “love living here:”

AMENITIES

Water sport launch area for kayaks & canoes

Crew House for lake activities

Splash Park and fun pool

State-of-the-art Fitness Center

Junior Olympic pool

Sand beach

Lakeside Park

Tennis courts and pickleball

Event lawn

Multipurpose playing field

Bark parks

Culinary Studio and Demo Kitchen

Multipurpose paths

Croquet Field

Expansive outdoor sitting and dining areas

Fire pit and boardwalk

Private meeting, card, and social rooms

This is one of Nikki’s top communities where she would consider moving, if they were to leave Durbin Crossing. Its closer to the beaches, across from Beach Walk, and super close to 95 access.

Each community in Northern Saint Johns County offers so many wonderful amenities and reasons to enjoy loving where you live. The Coastal Home Group team all live, work, and play in Saint Johns County….Let them know if they can be of service in helping you with any questions regarding home values, community connections, or business-to-business introductions or promotions. For more information please visit www.thecoastalhomegroup.com

As a therapist, I help clients from all walks of life feel, function, and communicate better; teaching them the skills they need to access their own resiliency and strength, empowering them to be their own best advocates and to mindfully create the lives they desire.

Enjoy Nature WITH A NEW OUTDOOR KITCHEN

At River Stonework & Design we implement our best ideas, aesthetic sensibility, and deep construction knowledge to work with you in a budget-conscious design procedure.

CLOSET FACTORY

A Mother & Daughter Team Helping People Organize their Lives

It is often said that your home is your sanctuary. In this busy world, an organized home creates a sense of peace, relieves stress, and increases the time you have to spend on endeavors that bring you joy. One of the best ways to accomplish home organization is with a custom-designed closet system that utilizes the space you have to your advantage. That is where the Closet Factory comes in. This month, St. Johns Magazine had the opportunity to ask owner Jill Flores more about this creative and life-enhancing local business.

Mother and daughter team Jill and Sierra Flores opened The Closet Factory Jax one year ago and since then they have never looked back. It was the perfect fit for Jill and Sierra whose deep connection to the community combined with their background in sales, property

designed storage solutions for homeowners in northern St. Johns, pairing organization with beauty and functionality. Projects include custom closet systems, pantries, home offices, entertainment centers, wall beds, garage organization, and wine rooms using a wide range of materials to fit any budget from basic white melamine to fully stained hardwood. The possibilities are endless says Jill. "Closet Factory has a diversified line of products that allows us to help all of our clients with their organizational needs, no matter how large or small the project is."

What sets The Closet Factory apart is superior customer service. When you contact Jill and Sierra, you will connect with a locally owned business. The first step is meeting with an experienced designer in your home who listens to your needs and, with your input, creates a functional and great-looking system that complements your home décor. For those who are uncertain about where to begin, they bring Idea Books filled with past projects they have designed and installed.

Jill and Sierra are excited every time they meet with a new client to hear their ideas and help them formulate a plan. “I love helping our clients to organize their life. This really helps them to spend time in other areas of their lives, without worrying about the need to spend their valuable time on organization,” Jill said.

management, and real estate gave them the desire to put their creativity to work to help people organize their lives. Jill says she loves owning a business and has a great sense of accomplishment in the fact that it is a woman-owned enterprise. Jill and Sierra specialize in custom-

Jill makes it a priority to continually increase her value to clients by learning about the latest design trends and new technology in closet systems with the goal of helping clients make the perfect unique design for their homes. She has learned that since people are more often

staying at home, working from home, and entertaining at home there is a desire to not only beautify, but also organize their space. On trend right now are the use of vibrant colors; the addition of lighting; accessories that further increase organization; and using closets as multipurpose spaces with things like pull-out ironing boards, dressing tables, and more. Home office design and entertainment spaces are popular trends as well.

For those hoping to bring organization, functionality, and beauty into your home as a way to transform not only the space but your entire life, The Closet Factory is your ideal solution.

For more information please visit www. closetfactory.com/locations/jacksonville or call 1-800-838-7995. Located at 2628 Port Industrial Drive Jacksonville FL 32226,

“I love helping our clients to organize their life. This really helps them to spend time in other areas of their lives, without worrying about the need to spend their valuable time on organization,”

There's No Place Like St. Johns...

For Discovering the Florida Lifestyle

Over the past ten years we have created a detailed list of popular existing and new communities in northern St. Johns for our Real Estate print issues and online articles. When we hear about new communities we like let people know. This month we are adding a few wonderful communities to our list. For a detailed list of communities please visit www.stjohnmag.com.

Bartram Ranch (CR210 West)

If you are looking for large luxury homes, Toll Brothers offers high-quality craftsmanship and value in a great location, minutes from top-rated Bartram Trail High School. It is characterized by oversized home sites in a picturesque setting, amenities include a clubhouse and pool, fitness center, dog park, fields, and playground. www.tollbrothers.com/luxury-homes-for-sale/ Florida/Bartram-Ranch

Cordova Palms (US 1 South)

If you are looking for proximity to downtown and the beaches, Dreamfinders offers beautiful homes only seven miles to Downtown St. Augustine. Amenities include a beach entry pool with a splash pad, play lawn, dog park, and a lap pool and fitness center. www. dreamfindershomes.com/jacksonville/cordova-palms/

Brookside at Shearwater (CR210 West)

If you are looking for privacy and tranquility, David Weekly Homes offers 40-foot homesites with access to fishing, kayaking, and nature trails as well as a stateof-the-art clubhouse, community center, fitness center, lap pool, playground, and tennis. But you don't have to compromise convenience since it is just off 210 West in Shearwater and you are still close to everything northern St. Johns offers. www.kbhome.com/new-homesjacksonville-st-augustine-area/brookside-preserve

Grand Creek South (Long Leaf Pine)

If you are looking for a new gated community Richmond American Homes offers a remarkably affordable option featuring their Seasons Collection of homes, designed to maximize space with a myriad of design options. It is located just past Bartram Trail High School on Long Leaf Pine. www.richmondamerican.com/ florida/jacksonville-new-homes/st.-johns/grand-creeksouth/

Seeing RED

The need For lifeguards amidst nationwide shortage

by Megan Hansson, First Coast YMCA Regional Aquatics Director, St. Johns County

For as long as I can remember, I’ve always been around water. The pool, lake, the ocean…it didn’t matter – I’m a fish. I eventually turned my passion into a career and have been serving as an aquatics director for the YMCA for more than two decades. When an opportunity arose with the First Coast YMCA to serve in that capacity down here, I jumped at the chance. That was more than 10 years ago, and I’m just as excited to serve Y members in St. Johns County now as I was back then.

Like me, many of you have fond memories around water when you were younger. There are countless bodies of water down here (natural and man-made) and no doubt many of them factored into your birthday parties and summer cookouts. The reality is that many of those memories wouldn’t have been possible if it weren’t for a group of people who selflessly signed up to serve the community at-large as a lifeguard.

Unfortunately, there’s currently a shortage of lifeguards, both locally and across the country. The pandemic likely influenced that since many lifeguards didn’t re-certify when pools were closed. Now that pools are open again, we need more individuals to step forward and make sure that our

pools are once again a safe resource for everyone in the community.

I do want to make one thing clear: working as a lifeguard isn’t reserved for high school or college kids. Anyone who is free a couple of hours each week and can pass the lifeguard certification can be one. Here at the St. Augustine YMCA, we have lifeguards of all ages – including retirees – who grab a whistle and make sure others can swim safely. Maybe you were a swimmer back in the day and wouldn’t mind returning to the pool every so often. We’ve got a spot for you and will pay for your certifications.

Now, back to all of you high school and college kids. I know you have a lot of options on where you can work. But think about the skills you’re learning on the job. Are they truly going to help you down the road? The skills and certifications you learn as a lifeguard are lifelong tools you can use to potentially save a life in

and out of the water. Plus, you’re serving your community and making valuable connections. And did I mention it can help you maintain your fitness?

Being safe around bodies of water is a top priority for the First Coast YMCA. In addition to training and hiring lifeguards,

the First Coast YMCA is also a great resource for people who don’t know how to swim. We offer swim lessons for members of all ages in our Safety Around Water program, which includes valuable water education that can help save another person’s life. If you’re interested in signing up to become a lifeguard or learning how to swim, please visit your local First Coast YMCA branch or visit fcymca. org for more information.

MARCH 3 APRIL 2

17TH ANNUAL ST. JOHNS ALL-COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL ART SHOW

The future of St. Augustine’s artists! All works of art are done by exceptional students in grades 9-12. The works in this gallerywide exhibit are bold, daring, and visually compelling, showcasing our students’ immense artistic talent. This exhibit is a community outreach partnership with the St. Johns County Schools and is sponsored by LeShane CPA. St. Augustine Art Association is located at 22 Marine Street in historic downtown. Also available at www.staaa.org. (check the website for hours) Free Admission

MARCH 2

A HISTORY OF THE BICYCLE THROUGH CARICATURES AT LIGHTNER MUSEUM

Shortly after the Civil War through the Gilded Age, the upstart bicycle evoked an exciting new world in which even a poor person could travel afar and at will without the aid of horses. Through period caricatures, David V. Herlihy, historian and author of Bicycle: The History, recounts the saga of this far-reaching invention and the hopes and passions it aroused. Guests will have the opportunity to view the current exhibition, Ride On! Historic Bicycles from the Keith Pariani Collection at 6 p.m. The lecture begins in the historic Alcazar swimming pool at 6:30 p.m. Admission is $5 for members, $10 for non-members. 75 King St., St. Augustine. 904-824-2874 www. lightnermuseum.org

MARCH 3

FIRST FRIDAY ART WALK

Join Art Galleries of St. Augustine the first Friday of every month from 5-9 p.m. for new exhibits, refreshments and live music at many participating galleries. Tour maps are available at participating galleries or online. 904-824-2310 www.staaa.org/art-galleriesof-st-augustine

MARCH 4

GUIDED EXPLORATION HIKE OF THE GTM RESEARCH RESERVE

9-11 a.m., visitors can learn about the cultural history of the Guana Peninsula as well as the natural biodiversity during a guided hike. Find out about the peninsula’s 5,000 years of human history, including how native peoples used estuarine resources, what European plantation life was like, and current efforts to learn about and save these resources. Meet at the GTM Research Reserve’s Trailhead Pavilion located west of the Guana Dam. Wear comfortable closed-toe shoes. There is a $3 per vehicle parking fee. Reservations are required and space is limited. 904-380-8600 505 Guana River Rd.Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082 www.gtmnerr.org

MARCH 4

MENORCAN HERITAGE CELEBRATION 2023

Join the Menorcan Cultural Society from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Oldest House Museum to commemorate the anniversary of the Menorcans arriving in Florida. Heritage food, entertainment and more. 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM/ Admission is free. 14 St. Francis St., St. Augustine. 904-540-3067 www. menorcansociety.net

MARCH 7 to 12

THE PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP

Join us in March 2023 as golf’s greatest players compete at TPC Sawgrass, the home of THE PLAYERS Championship in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. THE PLAYERS Championship features one of the most sought-after titles in professional golf.110 Championship Way

Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082 / 904-2733235

MARCH 11 to 12

ST. AUGUSTINE ART AND CRAFT FESTIVAL

Featuring handmade items such as ceramics, stained glass, photography, soaps and more at the St. Johns County Ocean Pier Park. Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 350 A1A Beach Blvd., St. Augustine Beach 352-344-0657 www. tnteventsinc.com

MARCH 11

ST. AUGUSTINE ST. PATRICK PARADE

Celebrating the anniversary of The First St. Patrick's Day celebration in America -1600, and the first recorded St. Patrick Parade in the WORLD, right here in 1601! And the ONLY St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Northeast Florida! The parade begins at 10 a.m. on Francis Field, heads East on Orange Street, turn South on Avenida Menendez and winds south along the bayfront, it then turns West on Cathedral Place, and back North on Cordova Street to finish at the Historic Downtown Parking Facility. www. celticstaugustine.com/parade

March 18

NOCATEE FARMER'S MARKET

10 a.m.- 1 p.m. Nocatee Station Field, enjoy a traditional market with a new and unique theme. Activities, shows, and demonstrations for the entire family. With so much to do, everyone is sure to have a great time. A wide variety of selections include the freshest locally grown produce and herbs as well as homemade jams, jellies, home-baked goods, hand-stitched quilts, plants, art, and pottery items. 400 Nocatee Center Way, Ponte Vedra. www.facebook.com/ NocateeLiving

MARCH 25 to 26 2023 FLOWER & GARDEN EXPO

For gardeners of all ages with growers, nurseries and artisans from around the state offering shoppers every item to make your garden all it can be! Features a variety of vendors bringing a wide array of horticulture including olive trees, aquatic plants, herbs, ferns, succulents, citrus, colorful flowering plants, butterfly plants, native plants and more plus gardening accessories and art. There is a $5 admission fee per person, which is valid for both days of the Expo (Children are admitted for free)! 10 AM to 3 PM at Sykes Family Farms, 5995 Brough Rd., Elkton www. epicbh.org/flower-garden-expo/

March 19

Rivertown Cars and Coffee

Riverhouse Amenity Center in Rivertown. Join other fellow residents and local enthusiasts for this free event, including free raffle tickets, swag and more. Come support Dreamcars4kids.org as our partnering charity and learn more about this incredible organization. Free for all to attend. Raffle tickets given to all spectators and participants. Spots reserved for those who are showing their vehicle. Please use side street parking for spectators and golf carts.

March 25

CARS & COFFEE AT THE CLASSIC CAR

MUSEUM OF ST. AUGUSTINE

Must love Coffee ~ Must love Classic Cars!

If you do then cruise over to Classic Car Museum for Cars & Coffee from 8-10 a.m. Enjoy the morning checking out over 150 beautiful classics, and enjoy free coffee and doughnuts. Classic Car Museum offers this free event every 4th Saturday of the month. Event sponsored by Bozard Lincoln. 4730 US 1 South, St. Augustine. 904-806-4625 www. facebook.com/classiccarmuseumstaug

Bella Vista

As you all know I love to hunt down some unique foods. I have seen this pasta made in a humungous cheese round and have been waiting for someone in our area to offer it on their menu. Well, my wish came true! Bella Villa serves a version of this called Cacio n Pepe which is their 100% Italian grain pasta served al dente in a creamy sauce with black pepper tossed tableside in their signature cheese wheel. It was everything I expected and more! And as a bonus, I didn’t have to travel to Italy to get it! The pasta was so rich and velvety absorbing the nutty taste of the cheese along with just the right amount of cracked black pepper. It is great by itself or you can add a protein, the garlicsauteed spicy shrimp adds even more flavor if you love shrimp like I do!

Cacio e Pepe is a pasta dish from the cuisine of the city of Rome. Cacio e Pepe means "cheese and pepper" in several central Italian dialects. All the ingredients kept well for a long time, which made the dish practical for shepherds without fixed abodes to be able to feed themselves and their families.

Fun fact:

The Cheese wheel pasta (a.k.a. pasta alla ruota) is a style of pasta that is made tableside by mixing freshly cooked spaghetti, linguini, or any other type of pasta in a hollowed cheese wheel, most commonly parmigiano reggiano. A layer of cheese is scraped inside the wheel so it melts when the hot pasta is mixed in by hand. Sometimes, the cheese is flambéed (i.e. lit on fire with a splash of alcohol like vodka or brandy) to induce melting. This variation made in a flaming wheel of cheese is appropriately called “flaming cheese wheel pasta”.

pets r family

full-service veterinary care, boarding, & grooming

we’re your other family doctor!

Pets R Family is a full-service 11,000 square foot Veterinary Hospital nestled in a private and serene wildlife preserve. Family-owned and operated right here in St. John’s, we are NOT a corporate veterinary facility — no pre-designed packages or sales tactics here!

We believe in treating all pets with love, care, and compassion. Our large team of doctors, technicians, and customer service members are at your service to provide you with the very best care and experience.

hospital services

kennel services

• Pups N Play social day care

• Pet birthday parties

• Long-term and short-term boarding care

• Hospital boarding for pets with special needs

• Professional grooming and bathing services

• State-of-the-art medical facility

• Experienced team of compassionate doctors and veterinary technicians

• Same-day sick appointments available

• Home visits available by appointment

• Premium veterinary-grade pet food

• Full pharmacy

• Teeth cleanings and dentistry

• Specialty care including ultrasounds, thermal imaging, and K-Laser treatments

BEFORE & AFTER GROOM: CALL

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www.petsrfamilyvet.com

by Dr. Deckard, DVM, Pets R Family

Newer therapy for Joint Inflammation in Dogs

In many of our canine friends, injuries, congenital orthopedic problems, and chronic osteoarthritis conditions lead to a life of chronic pain and can dramatically affect our pet’s quality of life. Many times, these injuries are best handled with surgery, however many of these problems are not amenable to surgery, are cost prohibitive to treat, or the patient has other problems that would prevent surgery as being an option. Other modalities that are currently used to manage pain and support the joints are non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), other pain relievers, cold laser treatments, adequan injections, physical therapy, shockwave therapy, acupuncture, joint supplements, dietary management, & omega 3 fatty acids.

A newer therapy that has been used with great success in humans, is now available for use in dogs. This new therapy Is called platelet rich plasma (PRP) which Is injected into the affected joints of dogs and helps target inflammation and pain. This platelet-rich derivative of blood is obtained after a blood sample is withdrawn from a patient’s vein, spun down in a special centrifuge, and separated via centrifugation with a specialized, multicompartmentalized syringe. The red

blood cells and WBCs are essentially removed, leaving the plateletrich portion of the plasma. Plasma containing this concentrated level of platelets provides an abundance of growth factors, which can help stimulate the healing process. When PRP is injected into joints, or damaged tendons or ligaments, it is believed that the PRP stimulates cells in the tissue, along with new cells circulating in the blood to bring even more new cells to the injured site. These growth factors derived from platelets most likely:

☑ Initiate connective tissue healing and bone regeneration/repair

☑ Promote development of new blood vessels

☑ Generally stimulate the wound healing process by accelerating epithelial and epidermal regeneration.

Because the patient’s own blood is used to make PRP, this is known as an autologous process and there is no risk of the treatment being rejected, as it might be if the blood had been provided by a donor. The process does have a few requirements:

☑ Identification of the exact location of the pain with an exam and tests that can determine if the dog is a

good candidate with x-rays and/ or MRI/CT scan.

☑ The dog must be anesthetized for the procedure since the joint has to be sterilely prepped and injected.

While PRP will start working immediately upon administration, it typically takes one to two weeks before dog parents see a difference. Early signs of success include improvement in walking, comfort, and overall attitude.

A repeat injection can be done as early as 2 weeks if needed, but the results of the injection can last for up to 1 year in some cases.

The great news is that this is a low risk procedure that offers a natural method for helping treat pain and inflammation associated with many orthopedic conditions in dogs. For many of our larger dogs, this is a procedure that very well may extend their life since mobility plays such a huge role in their quality of life. This process does require specialized equipment and training so if you have interest in this procedure for your pet, you should ask your veterinarian if they do this type of treatment and if not , you can ask for a referral.