Current:Home > News10-year-old boy uses musical gift to soothe homeless dogs at Texas shelter -Momentum Wealth Path
10-year-old boy uses musical gift to soothe homeless dogs at Texas shelter
View
Date:2025-04-15 10:07:17
A 10-year-old Texas boy is showing there's no age requirement to simultaneously drive positive change, pursue passions and be talented.
Yuvi Agarwal found a way to prove he could do all three by playing the piano at an animal shelter in Houston to use his gift to soothe the dogs. At age 4, Yuvi started playing piano. By age five, he was playing drums, according to local station WFMY News 2.
“I decided to basically play music for the animals,” Yuvi told the TV station. “Definitely not drums, a melodious instrument such as piano, guitar, steel pan, and that will reduce their anxiety."
The young pianist said he loves animals including his dog Bozo who is a big fan of Yuvi's tunes, except the drums, of course.
'My postman and guardian':How this 'hearing cat' takes care of his owner
“When I play the piano or when I play music just on my speakers or something, my dog just always just relaxes, lies down and just listens to the music,” Yuvi said.
The people and dogs of animal rescue service Houston Pets Alive! love Yuvi's private shows, according to Executive Director Noelle Delgado. She said the shelter never had volunteers play music for the animals before, so she was thrilled when Yuvi's mother reached out about the gig.
"Yuvi is an incredible pianist and the dogs just all stopped and stared and were so interested in what he was doing," Delgado told USA TODAY. "It was a wild success, actually much better than we have ever anticipated. And so we kept asking him to come back and of course, he kept coming. Now it's just one of the things that we all look forward to just a break in the day, and definitely something for our dogs that gives them a little bit of life back."
Delgado said that as helpful as it has been to play classical music for the pets through the radio, nothing calmed the animals like Yuvi's live performances. She added that living in a kennel for most of the day takes a toll on the pets' mental health so the team is always looking for ways to decrease anxiety and stress.
The fifth grader has visited the shelter for the past few months, making time to play with and for his canine friends. Delgado said she hopes more people will get creative about animal advocacy.
Texas lead the US for the highest number of animal shelter deaths for two consecutive years, according to a 2022 report from non-profit Best Friends Animal Society. Delgado said Houston has one of the worst stray and homeless populations and that Texas has the highest euthanizing rates. She encourages people to speak to city councils and state legislators to address the crisis.
"We're so excited to see Yuvi getting recognized for this because it's one of those things that you don't have to know what to do in order to volunteer your talent," Delgado said. "He is such a great example of how each of us can come in and give whatever talents we do have to these animals."
veryGood! (18676)
Related
- Residents worried after ceiling cracks appear following reroofing works at Jalan Tenaga HDB blocks
- Busy Philipps gushes on LGBTQ+ parenting, praises pal Sophia Bush coming out
- Bachelor Nation’s Ryan Sutter Shares Message on “Right Path” After Trista Sutter’s Absence
- 'Wolfs' trailer: George Clooney, Brad Pitt reunite for first film together in 16 years
- As Trump Enters Office, a Ripe Oil and Gas Target Appears: An Alabama National Forest
- Remains found at base of Flagstaff’s Mount Elden identified as man reported missing in 2017
- New Louisiana law will criminalize approaching police under certain circumstances
- Cleveland Fed names former Goldman Sachs executive Beth Hammack to succeed Mester as president
- Alex Murdaugh’s murder appeal cites biased clerk and prejudicial evidence
- Planned Parenthood asks judge to expand health exception to Indiana abortion ban
Ranking
- Hackers hit Rhode Island benefits system in major cyberattack. Personal data could be released soon
- Remains found at base of Flagstaff’s Mount Elden identified as man reported missing in 2017
- Joe Jonas Seemingly References Sophie Turner Breakup on New Song
- Journalism groups sue Wisconsin Justice Department for names of every police officer in state
- Scoot flight from Singapore to Wuhan turns back after 'technical issue' detected
- Ryan Reynolds Details How Anxiety Helps Him as a Dad to His and Blake Lively’s Kids
- Vermont’s Republican governor allows ghost gun bill to become law without his signature
- Election board member in Georgia’s Fulton County abstains from certifying primary election
Recommendation
Arkansas State Police probe death of woman found after officer
Wisconsin house explosion kills 1 and authorities say reported gunfire was likely ignited ammunition
Ohio man gets probation after pleading guilty to threatening North Caroilna legislator
Panda lover news: 2 more giant pandas are coming to the National Zoo in 2024
Head of the Federal Aviation Administration to resign, allowing Trump to pick his successor
3 Black passengers sue American Airlines after alleging racial discrimination following odor complaint
Major leaguers praise inclusion of Negro Leagues statistics into major league records
Taylor Swift fans wait in 90-degree temperatures for doors to open in Madrid