Expensive Sound System Goes to the Dogs

[Ralph]

Bach soothes animals at shelter
An RSCPA rescue centre has installed a £2,000 sound system to play soothing classical music to stressed dogs.

Staff at the kennels in West Hatch, near Taunton, Somerset, said they now hear Bach rather than barks.

The animals are said to respond well to the strains of Beethoven, Dittersdorf and Mozart, but are not fans of pop or dance music.

Deputy manager Anita Clarke said: "It's a very stressful environment for the dogs to be in here, so anything that can help is worth a go."

'Calming effect'

The cost of the music system was met through fundraising by the Friends of West Hatch.

Whale sounds and panpipes are also played and sometimes radio output so the animals get used to hearing people talking.

Ms Clarke said: "Music is proven to have a calming effect on both animals and people.

"It definitely works. It's quieter in the kennels now because if one dog barks when it's quiet they all start but if music's playing they don't."

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/e ... 665252.stm

[Charles]

If Bach can have a soothing effect on ME, then calming down barking dogs is no problem.

Nice to see you posting again, Ralph. Also, since I am a heart bypass survivor who uses Westchester Medical Center as his hospital, it was good to see how well you were helped there. I wish you a great recovery.

[Gregg]

If they played Mozart the puppies would be smarter.....


Gregg

[gfweis]

Perhaps to get the cocker spaniel two doors down to stop yapping all day I should feed my music through an outdoor speaker direct to its savage breast.

[Ralph]

If Bach can have a soothing effect on ME, then calming down barking dogs is no problem.

Nice to see you posting again, Ralph. Also, since I am a heart bypass survivor who uses Westchester Medical Center as his hospital, it was good to see how well you were helped there. I wish you a great recovery.

*****
Thanks. Maybe we had the same MDs. Come to Manhattan for dim sum and we'll trade hospital stories. After mid-March.