Music Therapy for Pets

[Guest guest]

Music Therapy For Pets By Noel Lorica(Acoustic Jazz Guitarist)

(NoelLorica.com)

 

1. The science of music therapy is slowly advancing into the

Veterinary profession. Studies in birds and non-human species

indicate that music is perceived in a similar manner.

 

A. Birds like human preferred classical/soft jazz as compared to

modern music over silence.

B. On the contrary primates prefer silence to even slow tempo

stimuli.

C. What dogs and cats prefer seems to depend on the context and

the individual

 

2. Therapeutic music has existed in the human medical field since the

1800's, with the invention of the phonograph.

 

A. Soothing sounds were introduced in the surgical setting then.

B. In modern times evidence is now notating its neurological

benefits and appropriate clinical application.

1. Soothing music post anaesthesia provides comfort aqnd

reduces pain.

2. Music reduces anxiety in mechanically ventilated

patients and older adults undergoing cardiovascular surgery

 

3. Classical and soft jazz music reduces detrimental reduces

physiologic and psychological response to percutaneous coronary

intervention and lower pain scores

 

4.Classical and soft jazz reduces negative emotional stress and

levels of autonomic response(pulse,repiratory rates) as compared to

heavy metal,rock or silence.

 

5.The main adverse effect stems from poor music or tempo selection

 

6. Music listening during the early stages of stroke improves

cognitive recovery and lifts the mood.

 

A. Brain imaging demonstrated that listening to music induces

brain wide alterations in processing function related to

attention,semantic,memory and motor function.

 

7. So the question now is if the same changes happens in the dog/cat

brain. Should canine athlete exercise to hip-hop,is jazz better than

classical for separation anxiety....ther are a ton of questions that

would eventually be answered. The most important step has been taken

towards solving this questions...the first step.

 

Noel Lorica(DVM) is an accomplished acoustic jazz guitarist/composer

whose albums have received Grammy recognition. Proceeds from his

albums benefit the Humane group Stray No More, a non-profit

organization that helps control pet overpopulation through a

spay/neuter incentive program.