[Adta] dolphin therapy

[Lora Wilson]

I'm doing some reading on cerebral palsy and discovered that "dolphin therapy" is used sometimes. (Excerpt below.)

I'm just so completely delighted by this concept and just had to share. Maybe I want to be a dolphin therapist when I grow up!!!!

:-D

Lora Wilson Mau, MA, DTR
California

Dolphin Therapy
					
				    
			    Dolphin
therapy was developed more than 25 years ago by the American
psychologist David E. Nathanson, who conducted his first study on the
rehabilitative effects of dolphin therapy as early as 1978. A proven
method of treatment, dolphin therapy enables special-needs children,
including those with cerebral palsy, to interact with their
surroundings in a constructive and playful way.  Benefits of Dolphin Therapy  Central
to the therapy is the encounter between the child and the dolphin.
Research has shown that dolphins, which have long been known to be
highly intelligent animals, are able to recognize the child's
deficiency. This recognition helps the child to forge a connection with
the dolphin, resulting in a relaxation and openness to learning and
healing that can lead to developmental progress.  Not only does
dolphin therapy benefit children with cerebral palsy by boosting their
confidence in their own abilities, but it also benefits entire
families. Parents, together with any brothers and sisters the child may
have, are encouraged to be active participants in the therapeutic
process. The participation of whole families in dolphin therapy helps
foster a sense of togetherness and cooperation within the family – a
fact that further aids in the patient's progress. Advocates of
dolphin therapy do not claim that it cures diseases like cerebral
palsy. However, research has shown that disabled children learn up to
four times faster when exploring their surroundings with dolphins.
Also, research seems to suggest that the best results are achieved when
a child engages in dolphin therapy for at least two weeks.  Dolphin Therapy Centers There are a number of Dolphin Therapy centers around the world. They include:  •  Dolphin Human Therapy in Key Largo, Florida  •  Curacao Dolphin Therapy Center  •  Dolphin Reef in Eliat, Israel  •  Island Dolphin Care in Key Largo, Florida  •  Mundomar, Benidorm, Spain  To learn more about other therapies and treatment options for children with cerebral palsy, click here . 

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