News Summary
Mission Viejo is introducing the Wild Tunes program at its Animal Services Center to help shelter animals through live music. Founded by a young musician, this initiative encourages musicians to perform soothing melodies, creating a calming environment for the animals and enhancing their adoptability. The program also aims to foster community involvement by inviting local musicians to volunteer. With the participation of musicians, Wild Tunes not only benefits the pets but also enriches the experiences of volunteers, staff, and visitors at the shelter.
Mission Viejo is welcoming a new initiative designed to benefit shelter animals and foster community involvement. The Wild Tunes program will be launched at the Mission Viejo Animal Services Center on Tuesday, August 5, at noon. Founded by a 12-year-old musician, Yuvi Agarwal, from Houston, Texas, this unique program aims to use live music to help calm stressed shelter animals and enhance their adoptability.
Wild Tunes encourages volunteer musicians and singers of all skill levels to perform at the shelter. Soft melodies and live music are believed to create a calming environment, providing a soothing backdrop for the animals. Agarwal has emphasized the power of music to calm, connect, and heal, highlighting its positive effects on shelter pets. The initiative is not just about the animals; it also aims to help them build positive associations with humans, ultimately facilitating a greater chance of adoption.
The City of Mission Viejo is actively seeking musicians and singers who wish to participate in this innovative program. Brynn Lavison, the Animal Services Director, noted that the benefits of the program extend to shelter staff and volunteers as well, enhancing the overall experience within the facility.
Individuals interested in volunteering can sign up online or contact the shelter directly at 949-470-3045. The Mission Viejo Animal Services Center is located at 28095 Hillcrest, making it accessible for those wanting to join the initiative.
To kick off the Wild Tunes program, a 15-year-old musician named Kayden Tokarski has already performed at the shelter and reported that the presence of music has a calming effect on the animals. This program not only provides shelter animals with a calmer environment but also offers musicians an excellent platform to practice their art and gain confidence.
Wild Tunes builds on an existing enrichment strategy at the Animal Services Center, which already includes activities like aromatherapy and interactive toys designed to improve the quality of life for sheltered animals. The program has gained momentum, expanding to shelters beyond Texas and reaching new locations in Colorado, New Jersey, and California.
Research indicates that certain types of music, particularly classical, can have a calming influence on pets in stressful environments. However, further studies are needed to fully confirm these effects. For those interested in joining the Wild Tunes initiative, volunteers are requested to select a shelter, undergo necessary training, and then schedule performance sessions. Acceptable instruments include keyboards, violins, guitars, flutes, and other string or wind instruments, although drums and percussion instruments are discouraged due to their potential to increase anxiety among the animals.
By participating in the Wild Tunes program, volunteers can make a positive impact on the lives of shelter animals, helping them find forever homes while also enriching their own experiences through the therapeutic power of music.
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Author: STAFF HERE MISSION VIEJO WRITER
MISSION VIEJO STAFF WRITER The MISSION VIEJO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMissionViejo.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Mission Viejo, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Oso Fit 5K Fun Run and Community Health Fair, Walk Against Drugs & Community Fair, and National Night Out. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Mission Viejo Chamber of Commerce and Providence Mission Hospital Mission Viejo, plus leading businesses in retail and education that power the local economy such as The Shops at Mission Viejo, Capistrano Unified School District, and Amazon Delivery Station. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECostaMesa.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HERESanDiego.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
