Questions About Dolphin-Assisted Therapy

"In the rush for personal pleasure, people disregarded the damage that could be done to other species. Therapeutic purposes are often the justification given for this rude invasion. People would never throw their child in with a strange dog, but they'll throw them in with a strange dolphin. What you are looking at is vulnerable people and vulnerable dolphins." – Betsy Smith, original founder of DAT (Following years of research she now opposes its practice)

We can certainly understand a person going to any length possible to help an ill or disabled loved one. But there is absolutely no scientific evidence to substantiate the claim that spending time in a tank or enclosure with dolphins has healing results for special-needs children.

"If there is any success, I'd be more likely inclined to attribute it to the general effects of...the opportunity to interact with animals. You could buy them a puppy and see the same results." – Michael Westerveld, pediatric neuropsychologist, Yale University's School of Medicine

To the contrary, the only guaranteed result is that the desperate parents of ill or autistic children wind up paying large sums of money for short periods of time in the water with dolphins. Although there may be a momentary increase in the attention level of the child, the effects are fleeting at best. And, in fact, some experts suggest that the inability to provide this kind of stimulus on a consistent basis can actually have a negative effect. However, pet-assisted therapy with dogs, cats and horses is a well-proven technique that enables a child to receive consistent affection and stimulation that can be beneficial in their treatment. Considering the alternatives, why not adopt a pet from a shelter and change two lives for the better?

"There is no scientific evidence at all that using dolphins is helpful...It's a recreational thing." – Dr. Bernard Rimland, director of the Autism Research Institute of San Diego

If you would like to learn more about dolphin-assisted therapy,
please follow the links below:

Encounters with Dolphins: A Call for Peace Between Species

DAT Article Florida Associated Press

What About Dolphin Assisted Therapy?

The statements above were taken from public sources and are not meant to act as endorsement of Wild for Dolphins or its content.