JOSEPH ZERILLI, D.V.M. 

Florida

Dr. Joe Zerilli is a second generation thoroughbred horse racing enthusiast. His father operated Michigan's Hazel Park Racing Association, where young Joe first discovered his passion for horses and horse racing.

As a new graduate, Dr. Zerilli started practicing at Calder Race Course in Miami, Florida in 1984. He left private practice for regulatory medicine from 1991-1993 as the State Veterinarian for the Division of Pari-mutuel Wagering in Florida, and as a result, regulated not only the horses at Calder, Hialeah, Gulfstream and Pompano Park but also the many racing dogs at Florida's dog tracks. During this time Dr. Zerilli extended his practice to include other sport and pleasure horses and animals at a local Ft. Lauderdale circus. 

After 1993, Dr. Zerilli joined another local racetrack practice for over eight years before settling down with old friends at Teigland, Franklin and Brokken, DVMs in 2003 to help develop its Mid-Atlantic division. In 2009 he was gratified at becoming a partner in TFB and most recently in 2010 successfully completed the International Veterinary Acupunture certification exam. 

Dr. Zerilli also holds a Bachelor of Science in Animal Husbandry from Michigan State University where the focus was on horses and cattle. He is interested in overall wellness and believes in most modern modalities of treatment including chiropractic, massage therapy and Chinese veterinary acupuncture and herbal medicine. He prefers minor surgeries that can be performed at the barn like Llewellyn procedures, castrations, caslicks and laceration repair. He is vigilant with veterinary regulation and feels that horse health and fair play is paramount for horse racing to succeed in the future and that pragmatic, intelligent regulation must include not only participation of the horsemen and women but veterinarians and industry specialists, as well. 

Dr. Zerilli is a member of the American Association of Equine Practitioners, American Veterinary Medical Association, the Florida Association of Equine Practitioners and the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society. In his spare time, he enjoys cooking for his wife of 36 years, Marcia, their five children and two grandchildren, boating, trail bike riding and fishing.