What if I told you there’s a shelter in New York where animals are treated to their very own concerts? Sounds incredible, right?
Meet Zen Micheline Hung, a teenager with a heart full of love for animals and a talent for music.
Her unique idea is to make life at the Bideawee shelter in New York more comforting and joyful for its furry residents.
A Passion for Animals
Zen grew up surrounded by her beloved pets, which made volunteering at an animal shelter a natural choice.
Driven by her desire to help, she came up with a unique way to ease the anxiety shelter animals often feel.
“When I became a teenager, I wanted to make myself useful to the community. I ended up writing an email to the volunteer director, Franny Kent, and told her that I was a musician who wanted to play music for the shelter pets as a form of music therapy to help reduce any anxiety from being in a new place,” Hung shared with People.
Inspired by Zen’s idea, Kent ensured the teenager’s talents were put to good use, making her Bideawee’s official pet pianist.
Music as Therapy
Zen’s journey with music began at just four years old, and over time, she discovered how much her own dogs loved listening to her play.
Her pets’ reactions inspired her to bring the same comfort to shelter animals.
“When I play for my dog at home, he’ll either rest under my feet, take a nap, or just enjoy the music,” Zen explained. “To catch his attention, I started playing musical messages based on what I thought his mood was. I noticed he would respond to the different tones and rhythms.”
Armed with this experience, Zen brought her piano skills to Bideawee.
She chose Hiromi Uehara’s The Tom and Jerry Show for its variety of emotions, tailoring the six-minute piece to suit her furry audience.
Playing to Calm Hearts
Zen carefully adjusted her performance to keep the animals calm and happy.
“I play softly, like a whisper, and never go beyond a medium dynamic range, like a soothing human voice,” she explained. “Loud or sharp sounds can be agitating, so I avoid those completely.”
Zen also observed the animals’ reactions, repeating parts of the music they seemed to enjoy most.
Her thoughtful approach has had a remarkable effect: many shelter pets pause their activities to bask in the calming tunes.
A Family Affair
The benefits of Zen’s concerts extend beyond the animals. Her parents also volunteer at Bideawee, turning the experience into a therapeutic family activity.
“It is so rewarding to do something useful, especially something you believe in,” Zen said.
“The reward is a strong feeling of personal satisfaction and seeing the good that comes from your effort. Nothing gives me more fulfillment than seeing the animals happy at Bideawee and ultimately finding their forever homes.”
A Symphony of Hope
Through her music, Zen Hung is transforming the lives of shelter pets, one note at a time.
Her story is a beautiful reminder of how compassion and creativity can make the world a little brighter—for both humans and animals alike.