This Article is From Sep 25, 2014

Harpist's Mellow Tone Soothes Apes at St. Paul Zoo

Harpist's Mellow Tone Soothes Apes at St. Paul Zoo

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Saint Paul, Minnesota: A Minnesota woman is bringing the soothing sounds of the harp to the gorillas, orangutans and monkeys at a zoo.

Once a month, Terry Tacheny (TASH'-uh-nee) plays her harp for the apes at Como Zoo. She's been doing it for nearly a decade.

Tacheny long enjoyed visiting the St. Paul zoo with her young daughters - except for the Primate House, where she thought the animals seemed a little lethargic.

Her solution: A little harp music.

A therapeutic harpist, Tacheny plays for hospital patients to help them deal with pain and anxiety. She thought if the music helped calm humans, it would work for the primates too.

Tacheny says gorillas purr when she plays, which shows they are happy. And she says they have never thrown anything at her.


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