DENVER — Music is often hailed as a universal language, capable of transcending cultural and linguistic barriers. A 12-year-old boy from Houston, named Yuvi Agarwal, is putting this notion to the test, finding an unexpected audience in man’s best friend. Yuvi began playing the keyboard at the tender age of four. A few years ago, he noticed that his musical melodies had a soothing effect on his family’s restless golden doodle, Bozo. This observation sparked his curiosity — could music also comfort stressed animals in shelters?
With the encouragement and support of his parents, both of whom have experience in marketing, Yuvi established a nonprofit organization called Wild Tunes in 2023. The aim was simple yet profound: encourage musicians to perform in animal shelters, easing the anxiety of homeless animals. To date, he has attracted around 100 volunteers, a diverse group of musicians and singers of various ages and skill levels, to share their tunes in nine shelters spread across Houston, New Jersey, and Denver.
Yuvi’s philosophy is straightforward: music communicates beyond words. Recently, he shared his thoughts after performing classics such as The Beatles’ “Hey Jude” and Ed Sheeran’s “Perfect” at the Denver Animal Shelter. “Music transcends linguistic barriers,” he explained. “It even transcends species.” During his performance for an elderly miniature poodle named Pituca, he observed that many animals, including cats, initially get excited upon his entrance. However, after a few minutes of playing, they visibly relax, with some even drifting into a peaceful slumber.
One memorable moment for Yuvi was his encounter with Penelope, a rescue dog in Houston. Initially too frightened to leave her enclosure, Penelope’s demeanor transformed remarkably as Yuvi played near her. “In a short time, she went from staying inside her kennel to licking my face and nibbling my ears,” he recalled.
Meanwhile, in a nearby stall, volunteer Sarah McDonner played Mozart and Bach on her flute for Max, a 1-year-old stray boxer, who showed his keen interest by tilting his head at the high notes. Sarah, a professional musician who met Yuvi in Houston, brought the Wild Tunes initiative to Colorado after relocating to Denver. She emphasized the significance of giving shelter animals positive human interaction. “It’s important to offer them a break from their usual environment, enhancing their adoptability in the long run,” she noted.
Although the impact of music on humans has been extensively studied, its influence on animal behavior continues to be a subject of debate. Some studies imply that classical music induces a calming effect on dogs in stressful places like kennels and shelters. However, researchers caution that there isn’t enough solid evidence to conclusively support this theory.
Lori Kogan, a member of the American Psychological Association’s human-animal interaction section and a “dog-person” by self-description, commented on the complexity of the relationship between music and animals. Kogan, with over two decades of research experience at Colorado State University, pointed out that many variables affect how dogs respond to music, including the setting, music type, and the dog’s breed and history. She encourages people to experiment with music for their pets, observing their reactions to determine if the experience is enriching for them.
From Yuvi’s perspective, what he sees at the shelters is undeniable evidence of music’s comforting power for stressed animals. Looking forward, he aspires to expand Wild Tunes to a national scale. The program, he believes, also benefits the volunteers, providing them a unique chance to practice and perform in front of an appreciative and nonjudgmental audience, which can be a real boost to their confidence.