Dolphin Assisted Therapy

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What’s DAT?

by Susan Campbell

DAT is short for Dolphin Assisted Therapy, a revolutionary program designed to enrich the lives of special needs children with the help of the sea’s most special mammals.

Throughout the ages, dolphins and mankind have always shared a unique bond. Countless reports of these special creatures saving people from drowning or from sharks attest to their inherent empathy toward humans. Now, specially trained dolphins are helping children with serious illnesses or who are physically, emotionally or mentally challenged to experience an alternative form of dynamic therapy. DAT is proving to be a very effective technique in aiding those with a wide variety of conditions including Down syndrome, autism, developmental disabilities and serious illnesses like cancer. Children respond especially well to DAT in large part because of the extent to which the dolphins seem to relate well to the children!

The Curaçao Dolphin Therapy & Research Center (CDTC) opened on the premises of the Curaçao Sea Aquarium in 2004. One reason for choosing this location was its unique open-water system, which continuously allows fresh seawater to flow into the entire facility thus eliminating the need for harsh chemicals like chlorine.

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The natural buoyancy provided by saltwater is a therapeutic plus to those with limited mobility, while the idyllic climate and beauty of this island were also attractive draws. With cooperation from wellestablished dolphin therapy organizations and facilitators such as Dolphin Aid and Doc Dolphin, it wasn’t long before the CDTC was attracting participants from all over the world. In the last three years they have worked with over 800 families with special needs children.

How DAT Works…

The opportunity to interact with dolphins is a strong incentive for participants to dig deep and find the resolve to achieve the desired results. The adventure helps them to grow by stimulating their senses and increasing their confidence, and the weightlessness can also alleviate pain. Research is currently underway to explain the peculiar changes that can occur in a person’s body tissue and cell structure as a result of dolphin echolocation waves. Dolphins use echolocation, e

Profile a form of sophisticated sonar imaging, to learn about their surroundings. (Think of it as an underwater X-ray without the radiation.) Dolphins can instinctively hone in on troubled areas of a person’s physicality and the sound waves they emit are thought to somehow stimulate healing in some cases. But there is much yet to discover about this fascinating phenomenon.

For now, the pure physical and emotional boost derived from the interactive encounter is believed to be one of the major forces behind DAT’s success, as the experience has produced outstanding results time and again.

Meet the CDTC Dolphins

Though dolphins are intrinsically easygoing and playful creatures, they also have individual personality traits and characters. Therapy dolphins are chosen for their gentleness, curiosity, eagerness to learn and willingness to socialize with humans. A good mix of styles in a therapy group ensures matching the right dolphin to the right patient. Meet the CDTC’s dolphins: Gee Gee is a motherly 23year-old dolphin who exhibits extreme kindness, especially toward children with special needs.

Mateo would be a teenager in human years; he is a fun-loving eight-year-old male who likes spirited adventure.

Nemo, at five years old, is always easy to find since he likes to be the center of attention and loves playing with human children.

The CDTC Team

Just as the dolphins are picked for their positive traits, so is the staff handpicked for their talent, expertise, patience and love for children and marine life. The trainers, physical therapists, speech therapists, psychologists, social workers and administrative workers are all highly dedicated professionals that absolutely adore what they do. When asked if he had a favorite moment, Marco Kuerschner, chief physical therapist, relates, “It’s impossible to pick just one! Progress has so many faces. Every day I see little miracles. The unbelievable light that goes on in a child the first time they are actually in the water with the dolphins is indescribable… every day has its wonderful moments.”

All of the therapists confirm the extent to which this program boosts the self-confidence of these children. Living in a world often bound by limitations can be tough on their spirits. But when these magical creatures are eager to frolic and play with them and unconditionally accept them for who they are – regardless of their condition – it makes these children feel “special” indeed… in the very best sense of the word. l

Papito is Gee Gee’s youngest son, born at the Curaçao Sea Aquarium in 2004. He is becoming an excellent therapy dolphin just like his mother.

For more information on the CDTC, go to www.cdtc.an or visit the Curaçao Sea Aquarium.

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Photos courtesy of CDTC