Animal Bonding

The Healing Effect of Animal Contact

Emotional activation and therapeutic presence in elderly care

Non-verbal interaction between humans and animals has a powerful impact on both psychological and physical health.
At Tomatis-Zooeyia, I work alongside my trained therapy dogs—and, in selected cases, with therapy cats—to provide emotional support in elderly care institutions across the Haaglanden region.

These visits have a visible emotional effect: elderly residents, including those with dementia, often become more engaged, expressive, and joyful. The calming and stimulating presence of animals helps them reconnect with their environment and with others.

When Animal Bonding is combined with Tomatis® auditory stimulation, the effects are amplified. This multisensory approach encourages:

deeper emotional regulation
Improved communication and relational responsiveness
a greater sense of calm, joy, and internal balance

Together, sound and touch create an environment of healing that is both safe and profoundly human.

One family member of a resident expressed the effect as follows:

"It's as if she's waking up from a deep sleep."

Therapeutic Benefits of Animal Bonding

Dogs and cats in emotional support, cognitive stimulation, and trauma recovery

Scientific research consistently supports the emotional and physiological benefits of interacting with animals, especially dogs and cats. These unique therapeutic relationships help reduce blood pressure, stress, and anxiety, while enhancing mood, cognitive functioning, and social connection.

This approach is particularly valuable for:

individuals with emotional trauma, anxiety, or stress disorders
people suffering from loneliness or depression
seniors experiencing cognitive decline or behavioral symptoms related to Alzheimer’s
children and adults with animal-related phobias or mild allergies

Dogs and cats as complementary therapeutic partners

Dogs offer vitality, playfulness, and loyal affection. Their energy encourages physical movement, openness, and engagement.
Cats provide grounding, stillness, and emotional safety. Their rhythmic purring and gentle presence help reduce overstimulation and restore calm.

By working with both, we create a balanced therapeutic space where clients can learn to trust, regulate their emotions, and reconnect with their inner world.

Impact on cognitive and behavioral symptoms in seniors

For individuals with dementia or cognitive impairment, animal bonding helps reduce:

agitation and aggression
irritability
resistance to care or interaction

These improvements are linked to natural increases in serotonin and dopamine, creating a more stable and pleasant emotional state.

Professionally guided, personalized sessions

At Tomatis-Zooeyia, all sessions involving animals are:

individually adapted to suit each person’s emotional and physical comfort
facilitated by experienced, trauma-informed practitioners
held in a clean, calm, and emotionally supportive setting

Whether through the joyful energy of a dog or the elegant calm of an aristocratic cat, each encounter offers a pathway to healing, presence, and personal rediscovery.

Find out more about Animal Bonding