Music Calms Fidelco Guide Dogs: Phase One

Pet Acoustics music proves calming during an 8-month study with Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation.

Janet Marlow, composer and researcher brought Pet Tunes Canine speaker to the Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation in Bloomfield, CT. The Guide Dogs in training listened to the canine designed music and in 2 1/2 minutes consistently each dog laid down in a state of rest and comfort.

Study

Observe (12) German Shepherds individually in a high stress behavioral state, before and after the music experience. staffed by Lori McClain Russak, Manager and Tommy Mourad, Head Trainer. Fidelco Foundation Nine Month Study in collaboration with Pet Acoustics Inc. Janet Marlow, Sound Behaviorist March - Nov. 2015

Results

90% of the dogs released their states of stress within (5) minutes of listening to the music, remaining in a state of calm and rest.

Details

Starting in March, 2015 Janet Marlow and the Pet Acoustics team set up Pet Tunes canine music and multiple speakers in three large kennel areas at the Fidelco Guide Dog Campus, encompassing over 70 German Shepherds. Each area had dogs in different stages of training.

The music was played at different times of the day during training and for rest time and after meals. Behavioral responses were observed over 9 months. The results concluded that the overall behaviors of the dogs were in a happier and calmer state. This is a desired behavioral state because of the important work becoming guide dogs being able to fit into family life with their companion. The study was coordinated by Lori McClain-Russak, Manager of Kennel Operations, Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation, Inc. and Tommy Mourad, Head Trainer.