Music Doesn’t Always Soothe The Savage Beast

When 19-year-old Kierra Martin signed up for a music class at her university in Houston, Texas, she was in for a real surprise.  She never anticipated that it would prompt a solution for her beloved psychiatric service dog, Tia. The unexpected twist came when the class started playing music. That is when Tia, a German shepherd, became visibly anxious, even attempting to bolt from the room.

Kierra had a moment of quick thinking and a heartwarming stroke of creativity. She dashed out of the classroom with a mission in mind. She was determined to find a way to ease Tia’s distress. It was then that a lightbulb moment struck her. Could headphones, known to soothe humans in noisy environments, have a similar effect on her furry companion?

A Solution to the Music Problem

With hope and determination, Martin purchased a pair of vibrant red headphones and gently fitted them into Tia’s ears. Capturing the adorable moment, she shared a video of Tia sporting her new accessory on TikTok (@auntie.tia) on January 20.

Little did Martin know that her heartwarming gesture would resonate with millions across the internet. Within days, the video went viral, accumulating over 1.4 million views and 351,000 likes. Martin explained that her decision to outfit Tia with headphones wasn’t merely a fashion statement; it was a measure to protect her hearing and provide comfort in loud settings.

While Tia may not have initially embraced the idea, she now tolerates the headphones and can peacefully coexist with the musical ambiance, albeit at a distance.

Service dogs, like Ti, play an invaluable role in the lives of individuals with disabilities, whether physical or mental. According to the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), these specially trained companions offer essential assistance to individuals coping with a range of conditions, from clinical depression and anxiety disorders to PTSD and autism.

Martin’s unexpected journey into internet stardom has left her pleasantly surprised by the overwhelming support and positive feedback. She was very encouraged by the response.  Furthermore, she hopes that her experience will inspire fellow pet owners facing similar challenges to explore innovative solutions for their furry friends. As she expressed to Newsweek, “I hope it may help other owners to realize that dogs have sensitive hearing and may need headphones in certain situations to protect their ears.”

Beyond the practical benefits, TikTok users couldn’t help but swoon over Tia’s newfound fashion statement. With nearly 350 comments flooding the video, viewers marveled at how the headphones perfectly complemented Tia’s service animal vest. One user summed up the sentiment with a playful remark, “They match the vest, how cute!” while another admitted, “I laughed entirely too hard at this!”