First thing every morning, I write on an index card, “By combining my passion for music with my love of dogs, I improve the lives of dogs and people worldwide.” As a concert pianist, Juilliard graduate, and devout dog lover, it is a statement I am deeply grateful to write. It guides my daily decisions and manifests itself in Through a Dog’s Ear, the first music clinically demonstrated to calm the canine nervous system.
Last December, I was contacted by Border Collie Rescue Texas. They had just taken in 25 dogs from a horrendous hoarding situation. These dogs had never been with people, never been indoors, and required extra professional expertise as they moved into foster homes. My eyes filled with tears as I read the email request for Through a Dog’s Ear CD’s to be used in recovery efforts. Contributing my music to dogs in this way means even more to me than appearing on a concert stage.
Later, I heard from Sam Ford, executive director of Border Collie Rescue Texas. He drove three of the Border Collies from Texas to Illinois. Dog’s Ear music was playing for them during transport and greatly helped settle nervous dogs on their long journey to foster homes. This is what I live for! I felt like my heart was with them along with my music!
We started providing Dog’s Ear music at cost to shelters in 2008, while our wonderful publisher, Sounds True, provides free CD’s for the adopters of new shelter dogs. After packaging 50 free CDs for the Border Collies, I pondered what else we could do to help other homeless pets.
As a socially conscious company, we understand the importance of giving back to our communities. Therefore, we are always looking for opportunities to benefit shelters and rescue organizations. Research shows that the consideration of the sensory environment, be it in a shelter or your home, is critical to the long-term health of our animals. Humans can do yoga, drink green tea, and have other stress relief strategies at hand. Dogs and cats don’t have access to relaxation or anti-anxiety techniques.
Thanks to a new partnership with Adopt-A-Pet.com in 2011, Through a Dog’s Ear music now plays in over 1,200 shelters internationally. We always hear from grateful shelter managers about how much calmer and quieter the shelter environment is with the addition of our music. In addition to calming dogs, the quieter environment creates longer visiting times for people and often increases adoption rates.
Wanting to do more to help, The Through a Dog’s Ear team decided to create a very fun holiday party and contest last year and now it has become an annual tradition. For seven days, from 12/5 thru 12/11, we are giving away free downloads. Simultaneously, we are having a very fun word contest. While picking up your free download, have fun playing the word game each day this week. Ten winners will choose their favorite animal rescue organization or shelter. We will send our 3 CD Calm your Canine series to their designated rescue organizations or shelters. The grand-prize winner will also receive a complete Through a Dog’s Ear 2011 Holiday Gift-Pak which includes seven CD’s and our Through a Dog’s Ear book. Last year, we had over 100 entries in the first hour and wanted everyone to win, so we donated over 100 extra CD’s to the chosen rescues and shelters. Watch the video of my trip to the post office playing Santa.
Donated CD’s Sent to Rescue Organizations and Shelters for Xmas
Play with us this week at the Dog’s Ear Take the High Road, Get the FREE Download seven-day party. Receive free music while helping pets in need. It doesn’t get better than that!!
Do you have any wonderful stories to share about your experience with shelter or rescue pets? Thanks for posting in a comment below. Also, during the course of the week, please come back daily and comment on how your doggie household is enjoying each new free download.
Happy holidays from the Through a Dog’s Ear team to your canine household!
Have you tried Sound Therapy for your dogs? Through a Dog’s Ear is the first music clinically demonstrated to calm the canine nervous system.
Receive a FREE DOWNLOAD from the Through a Dog’s Ear
Calm your Canine Companion Music Series
Simply click here, enter your email address and a link to the free download will be delivered to your inbox for you and your canine household to enjoy.
Top Post Image: Chloe – Rescued by Terri O’Connor from Border Collie Rescue Texas
Concert Pianist
Juilliard Graduate
Canine Music Expert
I am very interested in some downloads from Through a Dogs Ear. Can’t wait to see how my min pin reacts.
Regena – Definitely keep us posted. Hope you are enjoying the free downloads… Lisa