Originally Posted on: Bakersfield
Copyright Business Wire 2024
PUB: 07/23/2024 01:03 PM/DISC: 07/23/2024 01:03 PM
BURLINGTON, Mass.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Jul 23, 2024–
PetPace, a company focused on wearable pet health monitoring, today announced the results of a controlled study examining how music affects canine stress. Conducted in collaboration with Pet Acoustics, a producer of animal-specific auditory products, the study found that Pet Acoustics’ canine-specific music reduced stress indicators in dogs more effectively than classical music or silence. These findings offer practical guidance for kennel operators, veterinary clinics, trainers, and pet owners seeking to create calmer, more supportive environments for dogs.
“We are thrilled to deepen our understanding of canine health through this study and enable more comforting care for our beloved pets,” says Dr. Asaf Dagan, cofounder of PetPace and co-lead author of the study. “Using our machine learning and AI-powered PetPace collar to study the effect of Pet Acoustics canine-informed music reveals incredible insights of the healing power of the auditory experience.”
The study used PetPace’s flagship AI-driven collar to collect continuous biometric data while dogs were exposed to different auditory conditions. Key measurements included heart rate variability (HRV), pulse rate, and activity levels—metrics commonly associated with stress and anxiety. Comparing recordings taken during exposure to Pet Acoustics’ canine-specific music, classical music, and no music, researchers observed a statistically meaningful reduction in stress-related biomarkers when the canine-specific music was played.
PetPace’s device combines machine learning and AI with real-time sensing to provide detailed health insights. In this research context, the collar enabled precise, non-invasive monitoring of physiological responses to auditory stimuli. The technology also supports GPS tracking and has an expanding suite of modules, including a recently introduced Pregnancy Monitoring capability, demonstrating the company’s ongoing development of tools to support diverse aspects of pet health.
The participating animals were 12 service dogs in training provided by Educated Canines Assisting with Disabilities (ECAD) in Torrington, CT. ECAD is accredited by Assistance Dogs International (ADI) and worked with the research team to ensure the study upheld animal welfare standards. All biometric monitoring and audio interventions were non-invasive, and ECAD reviewed safety and ethical considerations before agreeing to the dogs’ participation.
Data analysis focused on objective heart biometrics and activity measures collected during consistent, controlled exposure sessions. The results indicate that purpose-designed auditory content for dogs can meaningfully mitigate physiological signs of stress compared with generic classical music or silence. These findings reinforce the value of species-specific approaches when designing environmental interventions to improve animal welfare.
For practical applications, kennel operators and veterinary clinics can consider integrating canine-specific music to create calmer spaces during stressful periods such as kennel stays, veterinary visits, or training sessions. Pet owners may also find value in targeted auditory enrichment for dogs that experience separation anxiety, travel-related stress, or other anxiety-provoking situations. The study suggests that choosing soundscapes tailored to canine hearing and behavior produces better outcomes than relying on music designed primarily for humans.
About PetPace
Based in Burlington, MA, PetPace develops, manufactures, and markets AI-driven, machine-learning wearable technology for pets. The company’s interdisciplinary team includes veterinarians, IoT professionals, engineers, algorithm specialists, data scientists, and pet owners. PetPace conducts research in partnership with universities and research institutes to advance pet health monitoring and to bring proprietary technologies to market. The organization emphasizes improving and protecting the health and welfare of animals through continuous innovation.
CONTACT: Margie Adelman
VP of Communications & Business Development
Mobile: 916-220-3500