Serenading the Animals
Leigh Brown has been playing the harp for 38 years and has made a career out of music playing for a variety of special events. When longtime OHS supporters, Marge and Stephen Brenneke, hired Leigh to play the harp for a recent event, it didn’t take long before they all got to talking about their shared love of animals. Leigh had long wanted to play her music for shelter animals, as her dogs, Lucy and Baxter, were often lulled to sleep as she practiced. This creative spark took hold and the Brenneke’s put Leigh in touch with their OHS liaison, Kelly Jo Elize, who coordinated a special concert just for the animals.
Leigh played her harp in a special section of the shelter filled with some of our most shy and fearful dogs. Leigh mindfully selected songs with notes in the mid-range as she had observed her dogs could be sensitive to the change in pitch.
It didn’t take long for the music to work its magic and the dogs—including the aptly named Lucky—began to settle and even drift off as Leigh played.
“People really relate to the songs I play and that shows how helpful it is. I think that can translate to animals, too. They respond to sound and vibrations from the music and instrument.” This heartwarming moment—made possible through a shared love of music and animals—demonstrates that there is no “wrong” way to get involved creating a More Humane Society!
Did you know classical music can help calm animal nervous systems?
Our Behavior & Rescue Center often plays classical music when we receive rescues, helping animals settle and feel more at home.
Try it at Home: Play music for your dogs on high-stress days like the Fourth of July.
Huskies Helping Animals
Diane Charlton, Co-President of the University of Washington Alumni Association, Portland Chapter is a true husky, who bleeds purple and gold, the UW school colors, through and through. Each spring, the alumni association organizes charitable food drives, and this year the animals at OHS were top of mind for Diane. When considering this year’s recipient, Diane thought of their school mascot, the outgoing and friendly husky, and knew it was the perfect opportunity to support pets in need.
When Diane discovered OHS had Amazon Wish Lists, it allowed their group of donors to give directly to OHS’ areas of need by providing not only food, but also vital supplies.
“It’s an easy and efficient way for people to get involved and donate.” says Diane. “I hope our project inspires others to think outside the box, leverage their networks to help OHS and pets in need.”
The drive was hosted from April to early May, and the ease of donating helped inspire her fellow PDX huskies who sent in several cartloads of donated items off the Wish List.
Food and supplies from the Wish List support animals in our shelters and foster families helping to care for our most vulnerable animals. Some supplies are even distributed through our SNAP food bank to families in need.
Want to get involved? Check out our Amazon Wish Lists for both our Portland and Salem campuses and send support direct to the animals!
Pet Sounds
Sam Rosenthal, a local Portland musician, has long been inspired by his cats. In fact, he produced two albums featuring the gentle purrs of his beloved OHS alumnus kitty, Nova. However, as Nova grew older and her medical needs more complex, he started contemplating a special album that would feature a variety of artists and the cats that inspire them—with the proceeds going to support elder cats and their care.
Recording Nova was easy as she loved to rub against the microphones. The project took around six months to complete with the various artists and their feline backup singers.
The album, which features over 14 different artists, generated a $1,500 donation to OHS’ Paw It Forward program, which provides financial aid to clients in need of assistance at our Community Veterinary Hospital. The donation is earmarked to support elderly cats and their care.
Nova has since passed but she lives on in Sam’s music—for him and the listeners that return to the albums to be soothed by her relaxing purrs. Today, Sam has welcomed two more OHS cats into his life, Rudy and Charlie, once a shy and fearful duo who got extra support in our Behavior Modification Program. Sam reports that Rudy and Charlie are doing great—and only time will tell when and if they make their big debut into any of Sam’s upcoming music.
Much like classical music, a cat’s purring has been shown to reduce stress in humans! Petting a cat of your own is a great way to generate that purr power, but if you don’t have a cat or you are on the go, check out Purr24 an album by Sam Rosenthal featuring his very own feline crooners!
It’s our shared love of animals that brings us together.
Your creative spark, innovation, and passion make every gift you make to the animals unique and personal to you!
Looking to shake up the way you are giving to OHS? We have a variety of creative ideas to get you started. From donating your car or even cryptocurrency, out-of-the-box options exist for any occasion.
