Detroit Harpist Serenades Shelter Pets in Adoption Drive

Ackeem Salmon, a Detroit-based harpist, brings his strings to the kennels, offering live performances to calm shelter animals awaiting adoption. Studies suggest music therapy can reduce stress in dogs and cats, potentially increasing their chances of finding homes. Salmon's initiative blends art and animal welfare, creating a harmonious environment for both pets and potential adopters.
Building on this melodic approach, shelters nationwide are adopting music programs to ease pet anxiety. For instance, Wild Tunes, founded by 11-year-old Yuvi Agarwal, organizes live music sessions in shelters, observing noticeable calming effects on animals. Such initiatives raise the question: can integrating music therapy into shelters become a standard practice to improve animal well-being and adoption rates?
In a recent event, shelter staff noted a significant decrease in barking and increased relaxation among dogs during live harp performances, highlighting music's potential in enhancing animal welfare.