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Dolphin Assisted Therapy

Dolphin assisted therapy (DAT) is a therapeutic approach used to increase speech and motor skills in children and adults who have been diagnosed with developmental, physical, and/or emotional disabilities, such as mental retardation, Down syndrome, and autism.

The theory behind this controversial therapeutic approach is that when a child with special needs interacts with a dolphin, it increases his or her attention. The program is used to modify behavior; that is, reward the child, through dolphin interaction, when the child performs a desired function. Therefore, DAT can be seen as a motivational approach to accomplishing goals relating to speech, fine motor skills, gross motor skills, and cognitive thinking skills. In other words, DAT encourages children to perform the more traditional types of therapy by rewarding the children with dolphin contact.

Dolphin therapy began in 1978 following research performed by Dr. David Nathanson, a psychologist specializing in providing therapy for children with special needs. Dr. Nathanson explained that the key to learning is to increase sensory attention so that increased learning will occur. Children who are mentally impaired have difficulty paying attention, therefore, they have difficulty learning. Dr. Nathanson developed a series of carefully controlled experiments using dolphins and children with Down syndrome, and found that the children learned four times faster when they were rewarded with being in the water with the dolphins.

There are several different programs providing DAT. One such program is called the Full Circle Program, at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, in Clearwater, FL, where, aside from behavior modification (requesting the child to perform a task and then rewarding him/her with dolphin time), the program also allows the children to participate in preparing the dolphin’s food, feeding them, observing, interacting during training sessions, and giving rubs. With the new skills that the children learn in the program, the therapists claim that the children develop positive self-esteem and empowerment in all areas of their lives.

Another program, offered by the Human Dolphin Institute, in Panama City Beach, FL, focuses on what they call "Child Empowerment." Their goal is to empower the child by enhancing their intellectual, emotional, and physical well-being, and to improve the child’s learning abilities and communication skills, all by introducing them to wild dolphins. Aside from actual contact with the dolphins, their program also includes swimming and snorkeling lessons, proper etiquette during dolphin encounters, ocean field trips, expressive arts (i.e., dance, music, breathing, drawing), and then following up with helping the children use the newly acquired skills and abilities.

Critics of DAT argue that dolphin therapy does not do anything different for the child with special needs that other service animals, such as dogs and horses, can provide. They claim that any kind and gentle animal can break through the child’s barrier and give successful results. While DAT proactivists agree with that reasoning, specialists at the Human Dolphin Institute believe that dolphins have something beneficial that other animals do not have; sonar. The Institute explains that there has been scientific proof that dolphins trigger the healing process by increasing the number of T-cells and endorphins. Scientists have found that when a dolphin interacts with a human, there is greater harmony between the left and right sides of the brain, all of which are felt to be caused by the dolphin’s sonar. Further, the medical director of Convimar at Mexico City’s Aragon Aquarium, Vilchis Quiroz, claims that dolphins seem to be able to diagnose problem areas with their sonar. Quiroz comments, "Using sonar that they have, they somehow see the damage and emit the appropriate frequency. There are things we don't understand. But what I do know is that it works." Quiroz claims that 90 percent of his clients show significant improvements. However, according to Michael Westerveld, a pediatric neuropsychologist at Yale University's School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut, said he'd be "quite surprised if there was any validity to the notion that they (dolphins) could target any particular area with their ultrasound. If there's any success, I'd be much more inclined to attribute it to the general effects of ... the opportunity to interact with animals. You could buy them a puppy and probably see the same results."

Most programs are five to six days long and the cost can range anywhere from $2,000 to $6,000. Although dolphin assisted therapy may be beneficial to those children who respond positively to animals, it is not a miracle cure and caution should be used with any organization who claims otherwise. Dr. Bernard Rimland, director of the Autism Research Institute in San Diego says, "There is no scientific evidence at all that using dolphins is helpful. The reputable people in the field simply feel the kids like the dolphins and it's a recreational thing."

For more information on dolphin assisted therapy, please see the web sites listed below.

 

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