Since I produced the “Harp of Hope Animal Therapy Edition” CD two years ago, I now receive so many letters and pictures from those of you whose dogs, cats, horses, cows, birds, bunnies, ferrets, and even pigs, are benefitting from using the CD. (See some of the testimonials elsewhere on this site.) Most of you say that your animals are calmer, quieter, more relaxed, and are sleeping much better than before you found the CD.

Thank you, those of you who have used the CD at that toughest time, during serious illness of a beloved animal, and sometimes during end of life. Thank you for all of the pictures, and please keep those and the stories, letters, and emails coming in. I keep all of you and your animals in my prayers daily.

I plan to use this new column to keep you updated and share funny stories or helpful tips as we all seek healing for our companion animals. It’s been estimated that there are 40 to 70 million pets worldwide; in the U.S. alone, 63% of households have a pet, which equates to 71.1 million homes. (2007-2008 National Pet Owners Survey) So, you are a huge audience. As we go along, let me know what kind of help you need, and I’ll answer questions right here in the column.

We love our animals so much, and, fortunately, it’s no longer embarrassing to admit this out loud in mixed company! Our animals share our lives, our meal times, quiet times, prayer times, vacations and beach time, celebrations… some of them sleep in our beds and ride in our cars (and some would do anything NOT to have to ride in our cars!).

When I go on harp concert tour around the U.S. and Canada, my two felines, Frosty, an 11-year-old all-black Siamese mix, and Phantom, 18, a mellow British Shorthair mix road-warrior, travel every kilometer with me. In fact, Phanty’s been on the road for over 17 years, and Frosty for 10. I’m sure many of you know the drill, too. The new updatable GPS’s make this so much simpler, but before we leave, I chart an itinerary that has to include:

1) Clean motels like La Quinta, Econo-Lodge, or Motel 6 that welcome my animals without huge fees;

2) the names of some good vets and ER hospitals in each area, which are professionally certified;

3) locations of stores that sell natural and organic pet food; and

4) restaurants like Cracker Barrel that will sell plain boiled chicken or a fillet of catfish (hold the blackening) for an occasional enticement to take their meds and supplements.

Then we plan some of our stops in advance for some of those places. Phantom and Frosty are on organic food, filtered water, and special meds for heart and kidney conditions, so we get an OK from their vet specialists before we start the road trip from Florida. We always carry two coolers with ice and battery-operated fans for road emergencies.

And, of course, we take the Animal Therapy CD, and several of my other therapeutic harp CD’s, especially for Frosty, who really needs it to stay calm in the car.

I can’t wait to start our next road trip with all of you, through this column. Invite your friends to join us at www.harpofhope.com for concert dates, itineraries, stories, and more.

Keep loving each other, and I’ll see you on the road.

Dr. Diane

J Palliat Med. 2008 May;11(4):582-90.Related Articles, Links
The effect of music therapy on anxiety in patients who are terminally ill.

Horne-Thompson A, Grocke D.

Calvary Health Care Bethlehem, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. thompson_anne@optusnet.com.au

BACKGROUND: The literature supporting the use of music therapy in palliative care is growing. However, the number of quantitative research studies investigating the use of music therapy in palliative care, and specifically anxiety, is limited. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this research project was to examine the effectiveness of a single music therapy session in reducing anxiety for terminally ill patients. DESIGN: A randomized-controlled design was implemented and the following hypotheses tested. There will be a significant difference between the experimental and control groups on anxiety levels as demonstrated by the anxiety measurement of the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS), and heart rate. The experimental group received a single music therapy intervention and the control group received a volunteer visit. SETTING/SUBJECTS: Twenty-five participants with end-stage terminal disease receiving inpatient hospice services were recruited. RESULTS: The first hypothesis was supported. Results demonstrated a significant reduction in anxiety for the experimental group on the anxiety measurement of the ESAS (p = 0.005). A post hoc analysis found significant reductions in other measurements on the ESAS in the experimental group, specifically pain (p = 0.019), tiredness (p = 0.024) and drowsiness (p = 0.018). The second hypothesis was not supported.

CONCLUSIONS: The study supports the use of music therapy to manage anxiety in terminally ill patients. Further studies are required to examine the effect of music therapy over a longer time period, as well as addressing other symptom issues.

PMID: 18454611 [PubMed - in process]

Dr. Schneider
We just got two Italian Greyhounds and one is very, very nervous.  The songs…had a magical, spiritual calming effect on Haven….  Thanks for your help. You have been given a special gift and I thank you for using it to help and heal.

Sue Witwer (Jacksonville, FL)

Dear Diane,
As a family we want to sincerely thank you for helping Steve transition from this life with your soothing music and loving attention. Your calm and easy going manner fit right in and you were always ready to please, accommodating our diverse range of musical taste selections.

Steve looked forward to your visits and always slept more soundly because of the relaxation your music provided for him. After he took his last breath a vision of my daughter, niece and I holding hands singing “O Holy Night” as you played was the beginning of our healing.

You have a special gift to share and we were so fortunate to have been connected to you at this time in our lives. Although this cannot repay you for what you have done, I am enclosing a check to help lower expenses with the hope that other patients can be as blessed and touched by your talents.
August 2007  (original below)

July 17, 2007

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN

RE: Diane Schneider, J.D., Ph.D

It is my distinct pleasure to write this letter of support on behalf of the harp vibration therapy provided by Diane Schneider, J.D., Ph.D. Dr. Schneider has previously conducted research in the Mayo System and now serves on our Palliative Medicine Consultative Service in Jacksonville, Florida where she has received praise from patients, families and the staff of St. Luke's Hospital.

With our patients, Dr. Schneider's work is well-tolerated and successful in addressing symptoms related to anxiety, high blood pressure, sleeplessness, agitation, dementia, depression, grief, and a variety of conditions with emotional components. In essence, she has developed a protocol for sequencing harp vibrations which can improve symptoms in critically ill patients and those at end of life. This therapeutic intervention is individualized to the patient's history and condition, and is not presented merely as entertainment. Patients, family members and staff consistently express their desire and appreciation for this modality. It is an effective adjunct to medical treatment, and is particularly well-received even by seemingly reluctant or skeptical patients.

Additionally, I would look forward to research in this fertile ground of holistic therapies which acknowledges the whole person and whole family as the unit of care.

Sincerely,
Robert P. Shannon, MD
Assistant Professor, Family Medicine
Program Director, Palliative Medicine
Mayo Clinic
4500 San Pablo Road
Jacksonville, FI 32224