Posts in Podcast
Enhancing Pet Health Podcast
Enhancing Pet Health Podcast

Ep. 161: Enhancing pet health with species-specific music that calms anxiety and improves behavior; with Janet Marlow. MINDY PETERSON, NCTM Music Educator & Podcast Host

My guest today is Janet Marlow, a fifth-generation musician and “sound behaviorist” who has done ground-breaking scientific research on how sound and music can affect anxiety and behavior in pets. Janet has used this research to create clinically proven calming music specific to various species. Her research has also led to a global brand, Pet Acoustics Inc. Pet Acoustics is known as a leader for contributing to animal welfare. And its award-winning products have helped thousands of pets and pet parents, veterinarians, and rescue shelters worldwide.

https://mpetersonmusic.com/podcast/episode161

Janet Marlow, CEO of Pet Acoustics and Rigby “Official Sound Tester”

Notes

We discuss:

  • Why stress reduction and relaxation is so important for our pets’ overall health and well-bing.

  • How the sound world of humans differs from the sound world of our pets.

  • The unique considerations or features that are taken into account when creating music specifically for animals.

  • Janet’s scientific studies are peer-reviewed and published in veterinary science publications.

  • Pet Acoustics’ latest product.

  • Janet’s latest piece, Equine Relax Trax, is designed specifically for horses. Horses are incredibly susceptible to stress, which leads to costly gastrointestinal problems. 90% of racetrack horses have ulcers, and 75% to 80% of performance horses do too.

  • Janet’s books and products, including free

Connect/Other Resources

Mindy Peterson is a Podcast Host (Enhance Life with Music), Nationally Certified Teacher of Music (NCTM), and music advocate who has been a music educator since 1991.

Mindy is the Arts Advocacy Chair of the Minnesota Music Teachers Association (MMTA) and a member of Music Teachers National Association (MTNA).

Podcast, Dogs, Cats, Horses, BirdJanet Marlow
Horse Stress
Horse Stress

Horses and humans share the most closely related hearing ranges of any other mammals on the planet. The human frequency hearing range is 20Hz to 20,000Hz -- the frequency hearing range of a horse is 55Hz to 33,500Hz. A whisper in his ear, or a personalized whistle from the barn to come in from the field, represent a significant aspect of how we connect to and bond with our horses through sound.

Sounds trigger both positive and negative behaviors in horses. An inability to flee the paddock during a loud thunderstorm can cause high agitation. A sudden jarring noise or shrill frequency can tense muscles, causing stress. Providing the best sonic environment for your horse can be as important as giving him the best veterinary care and diet. One tool you can use to balance his environment is music.

The Equine Network #AskAnnie Podcast Hosted by Annie Kennedy

In Episode 62 I sat down with Dr. Sarah Ruess of Boehringer Ingelheim Equine Health and Janet Marlow of Pet Acoustics to discuss their project, Relax Trax. We discuss how these two masterminds worked together on this project, how horses are impacted by sound, and how Relax Trax can work in conjunction with other products like ULCERGARD. Tune in to hear this awesome conversation and their advice on preventative measures to take to reduce stress in your horse anywhere you like to listen to podcasts or by using the link below:

https://apple.co/38QAP0n

Observing your horse’s ears in response to sound is one of the most insightful key that trigger equine behaviors. Today, caregiving to our animals is evolving to better health and understanding. We are learning more and more how to balance their needs for well-being and sound as a trigger for behavior is an important tool and understanding for their best life!

Purposeful scenarios using Pet Acoustics equine music

While riding – Playing music while you’re on the trail adds an entertaining dimension to riding for you and your horse. However, for safety’ make sure the volume level doesn’t overwhelm your ability to hear what’s going on around you.

In the barn -- Play the music at a moderate level on your sound system. Horses don’t need loud music to experience the sound waves. Position the sound source at approximately ear level or slightly above your horse’s head so he can both feel and hear the music.

During farrier, dental and veterinary visits – These are often not a horse’s favorite experiences, so play music to distract him and diminish anxiety. Music also helps mask sounds from any medical equipment being used.

For massage and grooming -- Horses love to be massaged. Use music to bring your horse into a deeper state of relaxation.

During post-surgery recuperation -- Music is especially beneficial for horses on stall rest while recovering from surgery. It will allow for deeper muscle relaxation during difficult stages of healing.

For trailer transport -- Engine frequencies and vibrations are very potent to equine ears. Music can help him feel a little less anxious, especially when he’s being backed into the trailer.

Masking thunderstorms -- Thunder can reach volumes up to 115 decibels. The horse and human hearing comfort range is 60 to 80 decibels. If thunder is disturbing to you, you’ll understand why it can trigger behaviors of anxiety and flight in your horse.

For therapeutic riding -- Blood pressure studies that compared the cortisol levels of riding horses, racehorses and therapy horses revealed that the latter have the highest levels, which means they have the highest levels of stress. The ability of therapy horses to restrain their behaviors during student/instructor/horse sessions is a remarkable empathic trait, but also physically distressing. Playing calming music during student/horse sessions can make the experience more entertaining while helping the horse feel calmer.

Horses, PodcastJanet Marlow
Does Your Senior Hear?
Does Your Senior Hear?

2022 for Pet Acoustics means new innovative products for happier pets. Our #4 podcast shares the details of the First Ever Home Pet Hearing Test launching in February! Why guess when you can know? Especially senior dogs that usually lose their hearing before we’re aware that they have. Puppies also need to be tested. The Pet Acoustics Home Hearing Test is an easy and convenient way to discover how well your pet hears at any age. Have some treats ready and you and your pet will enjoy this informative and fun experience.

Listen to Janet Marlow, Sound Behaviorist and Alan Brennan on We’re All Ears! # 4 podcast.

PodcastJanet Marlow
Walking with Llamas
Walking with Llamas
https://soundcloud.com/user-39486092/were-all-ears-3-podcats-10-5?si=bb58760bd720472695a12fff270ab010

https://soundcloud.com/user-39486092/were-all-ears-3-podcats-10-5?si=bb58760bd720472695a12fff270ab010

Listen to Episode #3 of We’re All Ears hosted by Sound Behaviorist, Janet Marlow and co-Host Alan Brennan. Walking with Llamas to Pickle Ball to a dog named "Little Bear".

a podcast about things you didn't know about animals.

PodcastJanet Marlow
Hearing Health Week
Hearing Health Week

It's Pet Hearing Awareness week Sept. 20-24th. Listen to our 2nd Podcast on how to home test your dog and cat's ears for health awareness. Listen to our podcast. Janet Marlow, Sound Behaviorist and Alan Brennan, Hosts.

a podcast about things you didn't know about animals.

PodcastJanet Marlow