39: Red Light Therapy & Why Dogs Need Light with Jackie Jolie

TL;DR

Jackie Jolie, founder of AnimaSol, explains why modern dogs are deficient in red and near-infrared light wavelengths due to spending 97% of their time indoors. She breaks down the quantum biology behind light therapy, why LED devices are as effective as expensive lasers, and shares how daily red light therapy improved Piper's mobility in two weeks. The episode covers protocols, speed of results, and why light is a foundational nutrient for dog health.

Piper's discount code is PiperSol for your 10% discount

During This Episode

• Jackie's personal health journey: Lyme disease diagnosis, natural healing, discovery of quantum biology
• Why light deficiency is the missing nutrient for indoor dogs
• How red and near-infrared light hits mitochondria and changes cellular function
• The difference between laser and LED red light therapy (same science, different delivery)
• AnimaSol's 5-wavelength design and 2:1 near-infrared to red ratio
• Piper's back leg episode and her improvement with daily light therapy + protein
• Protocols: 15 minutes daily for prevention, up to 2x30 minutes daily for acute issues
• Speed of results: arthritic dogs improve in 5-10 days, paralyzed dogs walk in 12 days
• The "sprinkler vs pressure washer" analogy explaining LED vs laser effectiveness
• Marley's paralysis story: standing in 5 days, walking in 12 days
• Why light therapy amplifies every other health modality with no contraindications
• Jackie's vision: launching human blankets in August 2026, teaching quantum biology globally

Timestamps

[00:00] - Intro: Does red light therapy for dogs actually work?

[02:37] - Meet Jackie Jolie and her background in bodywork

[05:43] - The turning point: Lyme disease discovery of quantum biology

[08:08] - The science: How light hits mitochondria and changes biology

[15:07] - LED vs Laser: Why they're the same therapy, different delivery

[20:32] - Sprinkler vs Pressure Washer analogy explained

[24:43] - Piper's story: Back leg improvement in two weeks

[28:38] - Protocols: How often to use red light therapy and dosage guidelines

[35:28] - Speed of results: Marley's paralysis story and arthritis improvements

[41:50] - Biggest misconceptions about red light therapy

[44:37] - Jackie's final message: Light is the foundation of health

[46:05] - Where to find AnimaSol and resources

Links from the Episode

• AnimaSol website: https://www.animasol.life/
• DogSol jacket (red/infrared light therapy for dogs)
• The Science on red light therapy

Where Can People Find Our Guest?

• Website: https://www.animasol.life/
• Instagram: @animasol
• Facebook: @animasol
• YouTube: @animasol (education videos launching end July/early August)
• LinkedIn: @animasol
• Email: Contact via website

Key Takeaways

• Light is a foundational nutrient. Indoor dogs spending 97% of their time indoors are deficient in red and near-infrared wavelengths.
• Genes load the gun, environment pulls the trigger. You have 80% control over your dog's health outcomes.
• Laser and LED red light therapy deliver identical photobiomodulation results. LEDs are safer, cheaper, and practical for home use.
• AnimaSol's design uses 5 wavelengths in a 2:1 near-infrared to red ratio, optimized for animals with fur.
• Prevention: 15 minutes daily. Acute issues (paralysis, severe arthritis): up to 2x30 minutes daily, titrate down as healing progresses.
• Results are fast: Arthritic dogs show improvement in 5-10 days. Paralyzed dogs can walk in 12 days with intensive protocols.
• Light therapy has zero contraindications and amplifies every other health modality (supplements, physical therapy, medications).
• Brachycephalic breeds (French Bulldogs, Pugs) and senior dogs with mobility issues see the most dramatic improvements.
• Piper's case study: Two weeks of daily red light therapy + increased protein intake produced noticeable mobility improvements confirmed by her physio.
• Light deficiency is a foundational problem affecting indoor dogs. Unlike supplements or medications, light therapy addresses the root cause.

FAQ

Is red light therapy safe for dogs?

Yes. LED red light therapy (like AnimaSol's products) is completely safe with zero contraindications. You cannot overdose on light therapy. Dogs cannot be harmed by the wavelengths used. Protective glasses are not required (unlike with lasers).

How long before I see results?

Results vary by condition. For arthritis and mobility issues: 5-10 days of daily use. For paralysis or severe conditions: 5 days to standing, 12 days to walking with intensive protocols (2x30 min daily). Some dogs show improvement within the first session.

Is red light therapy expensive?

AnimaSol's DogSol jackets are a fraction of the cost of laser therapy ($20,000-$50,000 per device). They're a one-time purchase with no ongoing vet appointment costs. Much more affordable than chronic supplement or medication management.

Can I use it every day?

Yes. In fact, you should. For prevention in healthy indoor dogs: once daily (15 minutes). For acute issues: up to twice daily (30 minutes each session) until improvement, then titrate down to daily maintenance.

Can I overdo red light therapy?

No. Due to biphasic dosing, there's a plateau where cells can only absorb so much light at once before needing time to process. You cannot cause harm or overdose with LED light therapy.

What's the difference between laser and LED red light therapy?

They're the same therapy (photobiomodulation) at the cellular level. Lasers are more powerful, more expensive ($20k-$50k), create thermal burn risk, and require protective glasses and professional administration. LEDs are wearable, safe to look at, affordable, and can be used at home. Same results, different delivery.

How many wavelengths do I need?

AnimaSol uses 5 wavelengths (2 red, 3 near-infrared) in a specific 2:1 ratio. Both red and near-infrared matter. Red penetrates superficially (good for wounds, hair growth). Near-infrared penetrates deep (good for joints, spine, bone marrow). Most products only have red, which limits effectiveness for deep issues.

Will it help my dog's specific condition?

Light therapy supports healing for nearly every condition (arthritis, paralysis, seizures, wound recovery, pain relief, mobility, digestion). That said, for serious diagnoses, Jackie recommends consulting her team for a personalized protocol. It works best as part of a whole-system approach (diet, movement, light, stress reduction).

Do I need to consult a vet first?

Most vets aren't trained in light therapy or quantum biology, so they may not recommend it. That doesn't mean it won't help. For cancer or extreme cases, Jackie recommends a consultation with her team to create a protocol that works alongside your vet's plan.

Will light therapy replace my dog's other treatments?

No, but it amplifies them. Light therapy works alongside supplements, physical therapy, medications, and dietary changes with zero contraindications. It makes everything else more effective.

How often should I charge the device?

A fully charged device gives you 8-10 sessions of 15 minutes each. Larger blankets take 8-10 hours to fully charge from dead battery. Smaller devices charge faster.

About the Author: Mariska Nell

Mariska is the founder of Tails and Tones, a design-led, sustainable dog product brand. She's also the host of the Tails and Tones podcast, where she explores dog health, product design, and intentional pet parenting with experts, veterinarians, and fellow dog parents.

Background: Mariska holds a Master's degree in Sustainable Design, a Bachelor's in Interior Design, and a Postgraduate qualification in Environmental Science. She's spent over 10 years working as a sustainability designer and strategist across the UAE, Australia, South Africa, the UK, and India. Her previous work includes collaborations with brands like Nespresso, Costa Coffee, and Dubai Airport, and she founded Design By Mariska, known for trash-to-treasure art exhibited at Dubai International Airport. She's also the host and founder of Mama Earth Talk, a sustainability podcast with 200+ episodes on zero waste and climate action, featuring guests including Dr. Sylvia Earle and the late Dr. Jane Goodall. She created the free Living Lighter course for practical sustainable living.

Piper: Mariska shares her life and work with Piper, her French Bulldog rescue dog. Piper joined the family in 2021 at 5 months old and has been the Chief Paw-duct Tester for everything Tails and Tones creates. Piper's journey, including cleft palate repair, luxating patella, arthritis risk, and recent mobility challenges, directly shaped the founding mission of Elevé (Tails and Tones' first product: a modular, height-adaptive feeding system).

Mission: We are on a mission to help modern dog parents simplify everyday care and elevate life with their pets, without sacrificing style or sustainability. Tails and Tones exists to build products that show up for dog parents, beautiful, sustainable, and robust enough to support you on the worst days. Not just the easy ones.

You can find Mariska at @tailsandtones on Instagram, or visit tailsandtones.com to learn more about Elevé and the Tails and Tones mission.