An article by Inika Khosla, Intern at Humans of Canines.
Music therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualised goals within a therapeutic relationship by a professional. But imagine a world where this music can not only help you, but also your furry friend.
Music therapy is occasionally used to address the physical, social, emotional and cognitive needs of an individual. The qualified therapist usually includes treatment which involves creating, singing, moving and/or listening to music.
The question that then comes to mind at this point is what are the psychological advantages of music? What is so unique about this method that encourages people to approach it as an alternative form of therapy?
The answer lies in the simplest and yet easily forgotten headlines –
- Reduction of stress
One of the most important things to do in 2020 to destress and detach yourself from the horrors we are unfortunately dealing with. And this is where music can be deeply helpful. Music is known to soothe and often induce relaxation in the body which is why most people often choose to start or end their days with the same. - It can help reduce depression
A review published in 2017 states that music can be an effective component when it comes to dealing with depression. It provides a safe and low-risk way to reduce depression and anxiety in patients often suffering from neurological conditions such as Dementia or even Parkinson disease. The most common patients that therefore undergo music therapy are those dealing with Insomnia, Depression, Autism spectrum disorders, Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) etc.
The correlation therefore between Music therapy and Animal-assisted therapy can be found at the grass-root levels where it yields the same benefits to its patients.
Other than providing emotional, social, physical and cognitive care to their patients, AAT is famous for improving outcomes and reducing symptoms for people with depression, anxiety, loneliness and more.
The question that one then comes to ask is since we are using music to treat ourselves, why not provide therapy to dogs through music?
It isn’t an unknown fact that dogs like ourselves face many problems including depression. Animals unlike us humans seem to not bother too much about minor pains, but there are several ways under which one can go through clinical, psychological or even hormonal depression.
Nancy Dreschel from Department of Dairy and Animal Science at Pennsylvania State University for Psychology Today was quoted as saying, “It was hypothesized that stress caused by living with anxiety or fearfulness has deleterious effects on health and lifespan in canines. The findings indicate that fear, specifically the fear of strangers, is related to shortened lifespan”.
Many specialists believe that turning on music for dogs as ‘white noise’ or something that plays in the background is often known to reduce their stress levels. This kind of music usually involves soft rock or Reggae which has proven to be the most effective among canines. (Attached below are links to music that can be used to calm your dogs.)
Research shows that when this music was played in a shelter, it allowed the dogs to relax, which resulted in less barking, lower heart rates and lower levels of the presence of cortisol – the stress hormone.
Although a far-fetched plan, we have come to understand how music therapy can produce almost the same benefits as AAT. Although, either would be difficult to use as a conventional source of therapy, our future promises one where both may be tied together to bring relief not only to the patients but the dog itself, enhancing productivity and recovery rate.
Work cited –
“American Music Therapy Association.” What Is Music Therapy | What Is Music Therapy? | American Music Therapy Association (AMTA), www.musictherapy.org/about/musictherapy/.
Cathy Madson, MA. How to Use Music to Calm Your Anxious Dog, www.preventivevet.com/dogs/how-to-use-music-to-calm-anxious-dogs.
Cherry, Kendra. “10 Surprising Psychological Benefits of Music.” Verywell Mind, 10 Dec. 2019, www.verywellmind.com/surprising-psychological-benefits-of-music-4126866.
“What Are the Benefits of Music Therapy?” PositivePsychology.com, 1 Sept. 2020, positivepsychology.com/music-therapy-benefits/.
Link for Music for dogs –
https://caninelullabies.com/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNQ-9uEclWA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2Z7BY_igEw
