12-Year-Old Shows the Power of Music to Calm and Connect—Even Across Species

WATCH: Volunteers perform live music to comfort shelter animals

Yuvi’s Wild Tunes: Healing Paws with Harmonies

12-Year-Old Shows the Power of Music

Have you ever tried playing music for your pet? What if that music could actually change their life? That’s exactly what Yuvi Agarwal, a 12-year-old from Houston, is doing — and not just for his own dog, but for hundreds of animals in shelters across the country.

Yuvi started playing keyboard when he was just 4 years old. Over time, he noticed something interesting — “his playing soothed his family’s restless golden doodle, Bozo.” That got him wondering… could music help other animals, especially scared and stressed ones in shelters?

With a little help from his parents, Yuvi launched Wild Tunes, a nonprofit that brings live music to animal shelters. Since 2023, over 100 volunteer musicians have joined him, playing at shelters in Houston, New Jersey, and Denver. That’s right — dogs and cats are getting their own concerts!

“You don’t have to understand the lyrics to enjoy the music. Just enjoy the melody, the harmony and the rhythms. So it transcends linguistic barriers, and even it can just transcend species,” Yuvi explained. That means music speaks not just to humans, but maybe even to dogs, cats, and more.

While visiting the Denver Animal Shelter, Yuvi played songs like Hey Jude by The Beatles and Perfect by Ed Sheeran. One of his biggest fans? A tiny poodle named Pituca. At first excited and curious, she eventually calmed down completely. Other animals even fall asleep when he plays!

One amazing moment Yuvi remembers clearly is about a rescue dog named Penelope. “Within a short period of me playing, she went from not even coming out of her kennel to licking me all over my face and nibbling my ears.”

Yuvi isn’t the only one making music for shelter animals. Sarah McDonner, a volunteer and professional musician, plays Mozart and Bach on her flute. She met Yuvi in Houston and helped bring Wild Tunes to Denver. Sarah said, “The animals having that human interaction in a positive way, I think, gives them something to look forward to… and makes them more adoptable in the long run.”

The Wild Tunes Effect – Before and After at FBAS

Some scientists still have questions about how music affects animals. Lori Kogan, a professor who has studied this for over 20 years, says it’s complicated. “There’s a lot more research that needs to happen,” she explained. Different animals react differently based on things like the type of music, how loud it is, and even the breed of the dog.

But Lori also believes it’s worth trying: “If you play music for your pet, and they seem to like it and they appear calmer, then I think we can say that that’s a positive thing.”

Yuvi is sure of what he’s seen. He’s watched shy animals become playful and calm after just a few songs. And for the volunteers, playing for animals is “a great way to practice your instrument or sing in front of a nonjudgmental audience, which can boost your confidence.”

Yuvi’s story is a perfect example of how one small idea — using music to help shelter animals — can grow into something beautiful and meaningful. His work reminds us that music isn’t just entertainment; it’s a powerful tool for comfort, connection, and kindness. Whether you’re 12 or 72, you can make a difference in the world — sometimes all it takes is a song.

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