Ark at JFK coordinate with Zoundz to alleviate animal stress and anxiety throughout travel

According to a business release,¹ the collaboration prepares to consist of music treatment throughout ARK’s 24/7 modern centers to reduce tension and stress and anxiety in dogs and cats when dealing with brand-new, unknown environments. The effort includes setup of Zoundz music, which was made up specifically for dogs and cats backed by clinical findings, in ARK’s reception, kennel, veterinary examination location, and in transit cars.

“The ARK is committed to the comfort, safety and well-being of pets and their owners throughout boarding and while in transit,” specified Elizabeth A. Schuette, ARK president and CEO, in the release.¹ “We are dedicated to implementing industry best practices and utilizing innovative tools and solutions to provide an ongoing superior experience for our animal and human clients alike.”

A multi-disciplinary group of music authors, manufacturers and engineers, animal habits scientists and experts, and vet researchers make up and curate Zoundz music. Plus, they have actually examined and analyzed its relaxing impacts as mentioned in numerous animal habits research studies.

Some of the released research study, respectively, in the journals Physiology & Behavior² and Journal of Veterinary Behavior³ show the possibility for acoustic stimulation as an extremely reliable ecological enrichment technique for kenneled dogs, which playing music in a shelter environment might help in reducing tension intrinsic for a lot of these dogs. Furthermore, the journals Applied Animal Behaviour Science⁴ and Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery 2020⁵ have actually released research studies showing in cats a substantial choice for and interest in species-appropriate music compared to human music. It was likewise found that cat-specific music might decrease the tension levels of cats and increase their quality of care in veterinary scientific environments.

“Helping animals live less anxious, joyous lives is first and foremost,” said Derrick L. Garrett, Zoundz creator and CEO, in the release. “We’ve composed an extensive library of songs carefully created with species-appropriate tempo, sound frequency and instrumentation to deliver maximum calming effects to dogs and cats during stressful situations.”

“With a better understanding of how music can influence behavior through science, we’re excited to expand our efforts with The ARK to help more animals relax pre- and post- travel,” said Garrett. “Additionally, the Zoundz Music For Pets app allows pet parents to calm, condition and connect with their pets to help dogs and cats maintain a relaxed emotional state in a variety of everyday situations.”

What’s more, the ARK’s USDA-approved rest and assessment center, Equine and Livestock Export Center, in addition to its first-of-its-kind in the nation specialized Equine Import and Quarantine center, focus on safety and performance in procedure and convenience, and use the greatest level of look after horses.¹

“We recognize that importing horses can be stressful for the owner, agent and animal; our staff of experienced and dedicated handlers and grooms understand the unique demands of equine care during international travel,” concluded Schuette, in the release. “The ARK hopes to extend the Zoundz music installations to the equine barns once we experience the efficacy of the music in our kennels and Zoundz produces additional content for our equine friends.”

References

1. Science-based musical treatment collective objectives to decrease animal stress and anxiety throughout travel. News release. The Ark at JFK. January 10, 2023. Accessed January 10, 2023.
2. Bowman A, Scottish Spca, Dowell FJ, Evans NP. ‘Four Seasons’ in an animal rescue centre; symphonic music lowers ecological tension in kennelled dogs. Physiol Behav. 2015;143:70-82. doi: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2015.02.035.
3. Kogan LR, Schoenfeld-Tacher R, Simon AA. Behavioral impacts of acoustic stimulation on kenneled dogs. J Vet Behav. 2012;7(5):268-275. doi: 10.1016/j.jveb.2011.11.002.
4. Snowdon CT, Teie D, Savage M. Cats choose species-appropriate music. Appl Anim Behav Sci. 2015;166:106-111. doi: 10.1016/j.applanim.2015.02.012.
5. Hampton A, Ford A, Cox RE 3rd, Liu CC, Koh R. Effects of music on habits and physiological tension action of domestic cats in a veterinary center. J Feline Med Surg. 2020;22(2):122-128. doi: 10.1177/1098612X19828131.