Paws & Music

Paws & Music with Wild Tunes

Play Music for Shelter Animals in Arlington, VA

Are you a musician looking for a meaningful way to give back?

Paws & Music is AWLA’s public enrichment program in partnership with Wild Tunes, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to soothing shelter animals through live music.

Together, we’re creating calm, comforting spaces for animals waiting for adoption — one note at a time.

How Paws & Music Works

Participants sign up for a 50-minute time slot and set up in one of our kennel rooms (dog, cat, or small companion animal).

You’ll play live, gentle music to create a calming atmosphere for the animals. This is not a performance — it’s a quiet practice session designed to support stress relief and enrichment.

There is no direct interaction with the animals during the session. Your role is to provide a soothing presence through sound.

Two musicians are allowed per time slot.

Why Music Matters for Shelter Animals

Shelter environments can be overwhelming. Noise, new surroundings, and limited predictability can increase stress levels.

Live, soft music can:

• Reduce anxiety and stress behaviors
• Promote relaxation
• Create a more peaceful kennel environment
• Support animals’ overall well-being

When animals are calmer, they are better able to rest, regulate, and prepare for foster placement or adoption.

Who Can Participate?

• Participants must be at least 16 years old.
• All participants must sign a liability release form.
• Participants under 18 must have a parent or guardian sign the release.
• No prior volunteer experience is required.

This is a public volunteer opportunity and does not require long-term commitment.

Approved Instruments

To maintain a calming environment, only the following instruments are permitted:

• Acoustic guitar
• Keyboard (low volume only)
• Wind instruments (e.g., flute, clarinet)
• String instruments (e.g., violin, viola, cello)

The following are not permitted:

• Percussion instruments
• Electric instruments
• Singing

Volume should remain gentle and appropriate for an enclosed kennel setting.

Program Guidelines

To ensure a safe and enriching experience for the animals:

• Sessions are 50 minutes long.
• You may sign up for multiple consecutive time slots.
• Only two musicians are allowed per time slot.
• If playing with a friend, each participant must reserve their own slot.
• Participants may play in dog, cat, or small companion animal rooms.
• We cannot guarantee kennel room preference.
• There is no direct animal handling during this program.

AWLA reserves the right to pause or modify the program based on operational or animal care needs.

Ready to Play?

Sign up for a Paws & Music session today and help create a peaceful space for animals in our care.