From Problem to Prototype

During a volunteer visit to a local animal shelter with friends, I observed that many dogs suffered from separation anxiety. One dog, named Choco, was self-harming due to severe anxiety, leading to bleeding paws. Searching for solutions online, I discovered that slow-tempo piano music could reduce dogs’ anxiety. This insight inspired me to create a device to help these dogs.

As a music enthusiast, I composed calming tracks specifically designed for dogs. Using an Arduino, I developed a doghouse equipped with a sound system that plays these tracks when a dog enters. This system includes breadboard, voice recording module, and speaker. During the creation process, I realized that there might be a problem of combining all the elements together; therefore, I decided to incorporate the soldering techniques. My interest in both architecture and music guided me to design a flexible structure that could be integrated into various dog shelters. If commercialized, this innovation could be utilized in households and animal shelters, significantly reducing separation anxiety and improving the well-being of dogs. By addressing this widespread issue, the invention aims to contribute positively to the pet community.