Dolphin Assisted Therapy

Although Dolphin Therapy is still a new mode of treatment for special needs individuals, there has been noticed improvements in the cognitive functioning of some individuals after swim sessions. Dolphin swimming-centered programs may seek to improve the quality of life for individuals, and their families, suffering from the effects of disorders such as autism, Down's syndrome and movement disorders. Among other things, Dolphin Assisted Therapy is indicated for the reduction of stress, alleviation of depression, increased cognition, and other pervasive developmental disorders.

The Effects of Human~Dolphin interaction

Exposure and interaction with dolphins is said to have various consequences, such as:

• Can relieve depression and other mental disturbances.
• Often a feeling of joy, unconditional acceptance and openness is communicated, which psychologically and physiologically is of enormous value
• In some cases it assists in improving the quality of life in regard to brain damage, mental and physical retardation, Downs Syndrome, autism, ADD, etc.
• Has shown a pain inhibiting effect from 3 hours to 4 days. This was measured on patients with chronic back pain.
• The intensity of the dolphins echolocation system of 8.3 W/cm2, and their frequencies of up to 200.000 Hz can possibly explain the physiological cell and tissue changes and the influence on nerve cells via resonance, cavitation and sonophoresis.
• After contact with dolphins, an increased synchronicity between the right and left brain hemispheres has been observed, plus a higher degree of the slow brainwaves in the spectrum of Alpha and Theta. This among other things strengthens the immune system and self-regulating processes of the body.

Explore the possibilities . . . the following links are both for and against Dolphin Assisted Therapy in an effort to facilitate informed decisions: