Sound, including the type and volume, is very important to how animals react and respond. Many do best with a quiet environment or low-tone sounds. They are already nervous in a veterinary office, an environment they are not use to and where their personal space is infringed upon. Soft, quiet music or silence is best. Some believe the frequencies generated by salt lamps and gemstones help calm them too, especially when music is not playing.

High-pitched sounds and music at high volume seem to increase the activity of an already nervous animal. Birds, especially parrots and macaws that like to vocalize, get louder and more vocal with sound that is fast and loud.

For animals that are sick and recovering, quiet or soft music has a calming effect. If an animal is calm and relaxed, it allows the proper function of their immune system. Stress will increase the natural release of corticosteroids in the body, which will depress the immune system.

There are many other ways to alter the frequency of vibrations in the environment in addition to music. Gemstones have a chemical makeup that emits specific vibrations with different effects—some are healing and calming. Cold laser therapy also emits frequencies that can help with healing and other properties. Acupuncture and veterinary orthopedic manipulation, as well as Homeopathy, works on vibration frequencies. Music is another addition to these healing modalities.

Linda T. Stern, DVM, MS, CVA, is the owner of Healing Creatures Animal Hospital, located at 3300 Hartzdale Dr., Ste. 108, in Camp Hill. For more information, call 717-730-3755 or visit HealingCreatures.com.