For 12-year-old Yuvi Agarwal, a keyboard became more than a musical instrument after he noticed it could calm his restless dog, Bozo. The discovery inspired him to wonder whether music could also comfort animals facing the stress of life in shelters. In 2023, Yuvi turned that idea into Wild Tunes, a non-profit that brings volunteer musicians into animal shelters to play live music for pets. What began with one dog has since grown into a programme of musicians and singers performing for shelter animals in several states. Yuvi says the experience can help pets feel more comfortable around people while giving musicians a supportive audience.
How does Yuvi Agarwal use music to help shelter animals
Yuvi’s performances have taken place alongside those of other volunteer musicians and singers. According to the Associated Press, he had enlisted about 100 volunteers of different ages and abilities to perform at nine shelters in Houston, New Jersey and Denver. During one performance at the Denver Animal Shelter, he played songs including The Beatles’ “Hey Jude” and Ed Sheeran’s “Perfect” on his portable keyboard.Yuvi believes music can connect with animals even when they cannot understand human words. “You don’t have to understand the lyrics to enjoy the music,” he told the Associated Press, explaining that listeners can enjoy the melody, harmony and rhythms. He said music can “transcend linguistic barriers” and even “transcend species”.
What is the Paws in Music programme
Some of the animals Yuvi plays for become excited when he enters their kennels but settle after several minutes of music. Some even fall asleep. One example Yuvi remembered was Penelope, a rescue dog in Houston who had refused to leave her enclosure to be fed. According to Yuvi, her reaction changed while he played, and she eventually approached him affectionately.The aim is not simply to entertain the animals. Lauren Lipsey, president and CEO of the Animal Welfare League of Arlington, said the organisation wanted to use music to “reduce stress, create positive associations with people, and support animals as they prepare for foster and adoption”. The Paws in Music programme was launched through a partnership with Wild Tunes.
Music gives shelter pets positive human experiences
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For Yuvi, the performances can help shelter pets become more comfortable around people. He described Wild Tunes as a “win-win opportunity” because it helps abandoned and stressed shelter pets associate humans with something positive. He said that regular exposure to music and the organisation could make animals more comfortable around people and ultimately improve their chances of finding “forever homes”.The programme also allows musicians to perform for an unusual audience. It can provide aspiring musicians with an audience to practise in front of and help build their confidence. Yuvi told the Associated Press that volunteers get “a really great way to practise your instrument or sing in front of a nonjudgmental audience”, which can boost their confidence.
