A music program called Wild Tunes is helping shelter animals feel calmer. The project was started in 2023 in Houston by 12-year-old Yuvi Agarwal. He noticed that music helped relax his own dog. This gave him the idea to try music in animal shelters. With help from his parents, he created a nonprofit organization. It connects musicians with shelters so they can perform live music for the animals. Around 100 volunteers have played in nine shelters across Houston, Denver, and New Jersey.

The goal is to reduce stress in animals by using live music. Many people believe that music is a universal language. Some scientific studies support this idea. They say classical music can help dogs feel less anxious in stressful places like kennels or clinics. However, some experts say more research is needed. Lori Kogan, a professor at Colorado State University, explained that the effects of music on animals depend on many things, such as the music’s volume and speed and the animal’s breed or past experiences. Despite the mixed opinions, musicians such as Sarah McDonner believe the program makes a difference. She said the music helps animals feel more relaxed and can make them easier to adopt. Wild Tunes continues to grow and gives musicians a chance to share their talents while helping animals in need.