Dolphin Encounters - Therapeutic or Not?
As a child, I watched a show called Flipper. It was about a bottle-nose dolphin that lived in Florida and apparently had a PhD in psychology. Each week, Flipper would happily save someone's life or solve some puzzling criminal investigation. He would follow his triumphs with a happy dance and that voice of his. I once saw a cartoon that showed Flipper removing his outer skin (there was a zipper in the back), only to reveal that Lassie was inside. Lassie was always getting Timmy out of a well; his Flipper persona could have just dove in and saved him.
I would read stories about clandestine military dolphins trained to detect underwater explosives and help recover accidentally-dropped hydrogen bombs. I would go to Sea World and see captive dolphins jumping through flaming hoops (something they often encounter in the wild, apparently), playing beach ball, or catching thrown rings. Their reward was a few dead fish, a clean tank, and top-notch veterinarian care.
I think that dolphins are fascinating creatures and I am glad that we share our world with them. I am also pleased that humans have not developed a taste for bottle-nose dolphins and eat them. Of course, bottle-nose dolphins do not eat us, either - a nice trade-off in my opinion.
About 15 years ago, I was in Florida for a medical conference with several of my professional colleagues. They decided to head to the Florida Keys and swim with the dolphins. A group of entrepreneurial people had made an inlet to the ocean and lured some wild dolphins into some swimming pool-like pens. According to the trainers, the dolphins were free to come and go as they pleased, but many simply chose to hang around and eat the free fish. In exchange for these handouts, the dolphins would have to tolerate paying people bobbing around in their pool.
This dolphin research facility also allows for developmentally-disabled children, especially those with autism, to have these therapeutic encounters for free.
We arrived at the Dolphin Encounter, paid our fee, and entered the water. There were about four "wild" dolphins swimming around. We were told to stick our heads underwater and make dolphin noises. Dolphins are apparently tricked in to believing our very strange, underwater whistles, shouts, and clicks were somehow other dolphins.
The dolphins were swimming around looking at us. Once they determined that we were not packing fish, they would swim on. One particularly amorous dolphin took a liking to a young woman in a bikini. He would not leave her alone, perhaps attempting to have a little inter-species love making (Once you go human, you don't go back). A bit intimidated by this unwelcome attention, she left the water. So, instead of a sleek, thin young woman to cuddle-up with, the dolphins were left with a handful of hairy men treading water, and a few ample women bobbing around like manatees. They were not impressed. During my hour in the murky, dolphin-poop pool, I was only able to briefly touch one as he (she?) went quickly by. I guess that was worth eighty bucks at that time.
For the last two years, we have been driving about 1500 miles south to Loreto, Baja Mexico. Kayaking or boating in the clear waters of the Sea of Cortez is a real dolphin experience. It is not unusual to see hundreds of dolphins playing in the boat's wake, or feeding on the abundance of fish in this area. Loreto Bay is a protected marine sanctuary, so it is prohibited to chase or molest any marine mammals.
Knowing from past experiences that dolphins do not like hairy men, I did not attempt to enter the water with them. They were free to jump up and enter mine, but that was as close as I was going to get. I got this one in the air trying to have his "human encounter". I wonder how much he paid?
The Mexican people love dolphins and consider them lucky. Of course, feeding dolphins also help locate fish for the fisherman. The dolphins do not seem to mind sharing their fish.
My teenage granddaughter wants to be a marine biologist , so for her birthday, my wife and I arranged a dolphin encounter for her at Six Flags Marine World in Vallejo, CA. For about two hundred dollars, she could actually enter the training tank, one on one with an instructor/trainer, and commune with those fascinating mammals. It was an overcast, rainy day; a bit cold to be plunging into a tank of sea water in my opinion. She ended up being the only person who showed up for the Dolphin Encounter that day. After a brief class and some instruction, she donned her wet suit and headed to the tank. There were two or three dolphins waiting for her. She stood on an underwater platform with a dolphin trainer and had the time of her life.
Apparently, the animal rights activists are not happy about these encounters and other dolphin encounters that have appeared all over the world, including Disney World. They consider any dolphin encounters a type of animal abuse. Capturing dolphins in the wild and forcing them to swim with humans is not a good idea, but for dolphins born in captivity, this appears to be fun (and therapeutic) for them, too. The picture is my granddaughter, Shelby, communing with a dolphin. Doesn't seem a bit abusive to me at all. I thought the two hundred bucks was a bit abusive, but I was assured that part of this money goes toward ongoing dolphin research, and of course, the care and feeding of them.
Being in California, these dolphins appeared to have a much better disposition then those delinquent ones in Florida. (Of course, the ones in Florida were wild.) She could freely touch and hug them and the dolphins did not seem to consider it harassment (or even foreplay). These were "nice" dolphins; mellow in fact. This behavior was certainly due to their constant socialization with humans.
Personally, I wouldn't mind trying to swim with the dolphins again. Maybe these California dolphins will be a bit more tolerant of a hairy man; maybe even like them. On second thought, I think I will just take pictures of them from the dry land.
If I were somehow reincarnated as a dolphin, I would prefer to be one of those Mexican ones frolicking free in the Sea of Cortez. However, I wouldn't mind retiring at Six Flags. Just kick back, eat some fish, and play with the kids.
Related Topics: Technorati Tags: dolphins, health and wellness
I would read stories about clandestine military dolphins trained to detect underwater explosives and help recover accidentally-dropped hydrogen bombs. I would go to Sea World and see captive dolphins jumping through flaming hoops (something they often encounter in the wild, apparently), playing beach ball, or catching thrown rings. Their reward was a few dead fish, a clean tank, and top-notch veterinarian care.
I think that dolphins are fascinating creatures and I am glad that we share our world with them. I am also pleased that humans have not developed a taste for bottle-nose dolphins and eat them. Of course, bottle-nose dolphins do not eat us, either - a nice trade-off in my opinion.
About 15 years ago, I was in Florida for a medical conference with several of my professional colleagues. They decided to head to the Florida Keys and swim with the dolphins. A group of entrepreneurial people had made an inlet to the ocean and lured some wild dolphins into some swimming pool-like pens. According to the trainers, the dolphins were free to come and go as they pleased, but many simply chose to hang around and eat the free fish. In exchange for these handouts, the dolphins would have to tolerate paying people bobbing around in their pool.
This dolphin research facility also allows for developmentally-disabled children, especially those with autism, to have these therapeutic encounters for free.
We arrived at the Dolphin Encounter, paid our fee, and entered the water. There were about four "wild" dolphins swimming around. We were told to stick our heads underwater and make dolphin noises. Dolphins are apparently tricked in to believing our very strange, underwater whistles, shouts, and clicks were somehow other dolphins.
The dolphins were swimming around looking at us. Once they determined that we were not packing fish, they would swim on. One particularly amorous dolphin took a liking to a young woman in a bikini. He would not leave her alone, perhaps attempting to have a little inter-species love making (Once you go human, you don't go back). A bit intimidated by this unwelcome attention, she left the water. So, instead of a sleek, thin young woman to cuddle-up with, the dolphins were left with a handful of hairy men treading water, and a few ample women bobbing around like manatees. They were not impressed. During my hour in the murky, dolphin-poop pool, I was only able to briefly touch one as he (she?) went quickly by. I guess that was worth eighty bucks at that time.
Photo Credit: Rod Moser
Knowing from past experiences that dolphins do not like hairy men, I did not attempt to enter the water with them. They were free to jump up and enter mine, but that was as close as I was going to get. I got this one in the air trying to have his "human encounter". I wonder how much he paid?
The Mexican people love dolphins and consider them lucky. Of course, feeding dolphins also help locate fish for the fisherman. The dolphins do not seem to mind sharing their fish.
Photo Credit: Rod Moser
Apparently, the animal rights activists are not happy about these encounters and other dolphin encounters that have appeared all over the world, including Disney World. They consider any dolphin encounters a type of animal abuse. Capturing dolphins in the wild and forcing them to swim with humans is not a good idea, but for dolphins born in captivity, this appears to be fun (and therapeutic) for them, too. The picture is my granddaughter, Shelby, communing with a dolphin. Doesn't seem a bit abusive to me at all. I thought the two hundred bucks was a bit abusive, but I was assured that part of this money goes toward ongoing dolphin research, and of course, the care and feeding of them.
Being in California, these dolphins appeared to have a much better disposition then those delinquent ones in Florida. (Of course, the ones in Florida were wild.) She could freely touch and hug them and the dolphins did not seem to consider it harassment (or even foreplay). These were "nice" dolphins; mellow in fact. This behavior was certainly due to their constant socialization with humans.
Personally, I wouldn't mind trying to swim with the dolphins again. Maybe these California dolphins will be a bit more tolerant of a hairy man; maybe even like them. On second thought, I think I will just take pictures of them from the dry land.
If I were somehow reincarnated as a dolphin, I would prefer to be one of those Mexican ones frolicking free in the Sea of Cortez. However, I wouldn't mind retiring at Six Flags. Just kick back, eat some fish, and play with the kids.
Related Topics: Technorati Tags: dolphins, health and wellness
6 Comments:
Last year, for my thirtieth birthday, my sister and her husband paid for a dolphin encounter for me in Cozumel, Mexico. This involved 2 highly trained dolphins coming up to the humans; we did not approach them. The best part was when they gave me a foot push, which involved the dolphins coming up underneath my feet, and pushing me up almost completely out of the water and propelling me forward for several feet quite quickly. I do not believe for a moment that the dolphins are abused or that they feel mistreated in any way. I firmly believe that they enjoy the attention. It was the best experience of my life.
My daughter is a dolphin-lover so we signed up for the dolphin class at the Atlantis in the Bahamas last year. The dolphins, we were told, were rescued from New Orleans after the hurricane. They appeared to be well-trained and happy. They did some tricks for us and then ended with their kissing us. Dolphins are amazing creatures and very smart. It was nice to be sharing nature with them.
My 11 yr old son has autism. We arrived at the gulfarium when he was 4 with no expectations but have a good time. My son had two words entering the arena, and was no wear close to being potty trained. Over the course of the week, the gentle loving creatures changed his life forever. On the 4th day he began to use the toliet consistently. And by the end of the week his vocabulary expanded 12 words. The bond that happened between the dolphin and my son was unbelievable. We arrived back home, grandparents were amazed at the progress. All therapists, and family members continue to comment and how that experience changed his life. It did not cure him. He was wearing underwear with no accidents within a week after the entire dolphin encounter. He is verbal. last week I took him to a theme park where we had a 20 minute hands on experience. All he could talk about was the experience that he had, had at age 4. I didn't know if he had remembered that. The encounters with dolphins have different therapeuic results for everyone, wheather your experience is a smile and joyful heart or other skills either is benefit to your mental health.
I highly recommend you watch the Penn and Teller show Bulls*&^ on Dolphins. Putting your child in with a dolphin can be very dangerous, and while fun and your kid may enjoy it, it’s hooey as an autism treatment.
With that said, we do the horse therapy and my 7 year old with PDD-NOS loves it. I see it as a good thing for her, but I am still not sure I would call it “therapy”. If I start taking kids for a ride on my 4 Wheeler, could I charge and call it “Offroad therapy”, apparently. :-)
***WARNING: HARSH LANGUAGE, DON’T WATCH IF YOU ARE EASILY OFFENDED****, but funny as heck …
PENN & TELLER on Dolphins … part 2 mentioned the autism treatments, etc.
part I - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dj_2rD24mQw&feature=related
part II - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7-HcHQoioM&feature=related
part III - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uoHqB_FQkpA&feature=related
Fielding J. Hurst
http://autismparents.net
2 years ago I was lucky enough to go to St. Martin for a month. After 3 days there I was raped. The depression I fell into was horrible. I was close to being suicidal After about a week my Aunt convinced me to do a dolphin swim. I have loved dolphins my whole life, so I did. Because I was still not up to total health I choose a less physical swim. Winds up that I was the only person to do so. I had tank, trainer and dolphin to myself. This dolphin (Kobe) was so gentle. The trainers were shocked at how Kobe reacted to me. It was an amazing experince. After this encounter I was able to sleep. I didn't flip out if aunt walked 5 feet away from me. It was an emotional time for me, but I now felt I could handle it. It was probaly the best experince of my life
I believe dolphins are therapeutic. Abut 4 years ago my husband and myself along with some friends went to Puerto Vallarta for our anniversary. While there we paid for a dolphin encounter at a local theme park. I was thrilled as I love dolphins and couldn't beleive I had this opportunity. The dolphins were gentle as they swam by us, gave us a kiss and jumped over our heads. It was truly exciting. I felt a bond with these dolphins. The therapuetic part lies in the fact that I had been trying to get pregnangt for well over 8 years. The doctors couldn't identify a reason for our lack of conception so we waited it out..though we did all the neccessary tests and opted to avoid the drugs. I came home from that anniversary vacation pregnant! I remember mentioning to my husband it was the dolphins! LOl I don't know what it was but I felt a bond with those animals that day. They were graceful and attentive and seemed to like me. Maybe they sensed I was pregnant and didn't know it or maybe they blessed me in some way. I don't know but I now have a 3 1/2 year old little boy. :)
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