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"The healing that takes
place here is no miracle..." emphatically states David E. Nathanson, Founder
and President of Dolphin Human Therapy (DHT). Since its beginnings in 1989,
this private enterprise in Key Largo, Florida has conducted over 30,000
individualized, dolphin-assisted therapy sessions with over 2,300 clients,
primarily children, representing families from 39 states and 54 countries. The
most common diagnoses are cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and autism.
DHT's effectiveness is due
to a simple principle: children interact with the dolphins as a reward only
after they have correctly completed their work.
One of the clients I
observed was Scarlett, an autistic child from Germany. Her lack of ability to
communicate caused her to develop terrible temper tantrums.
Scarlett was anxious to play with Genie, an Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin, but
first had to work with the therapist on her communication skills. After several
minutes, the therapist jumped into the water, and Scarlett was allowed off her
chair in order to sit on the edge of the platform with her feet dangling in the
water. She was now one step closer to what she really wanted: to be in the water
with Genie. But Scarlett still had more work to do.
Five minutes later, Scarlett got her reward: she was allowed in the water, and
Genie came over to shake her hand and say, “Hello!” Then Scarlett and the
therapist grabbed hold of Genie’s dorsal fin, and the three took a “spin around
the cove.” During the course of the 40-minute session, Scarlett got to interact
with Genie 5 or 6 times. And after two weeks of therapy, Scarlett was smiling,
responsive and most of all, communicative.
At first glance it seems
the dolphins are only there as incentive for the children to complete their
tasks. But there is a wonderful connection between dolphins and humans that
works at a completely different level. "A dolphin's sonar system is incredibly
sophisticated," said one therapist. "The dolphins map the children's bodies
before they approach them. They can tell, for instance, where there is scar
tissue, and which areas may still be tender. Then they avoid touching these
areas." Some even say that dolphin sonar can actually cause human cells to heal.
The real reason for success, however, makes little difference to most parents of
children who have received DHT: what's important is that DHT works. Interaction
with the dolphins coupled with excellent therapy from highly competent health
professionals has, in most cases, resulted in significant improvements in their
child.
"Positive growth happens
because of hard work and a superb, dedicated staff," said Dr. Nathanson. He
added, "The healing that takes place here is no miracle.." But then his face
softened and his eyes twinkled as he added, "But that's not to say that many
people don't find the results miraculous."
To learn more about
Dolphin Human Therapy and view pictures, log on to
www.grailworld.com/DolphinHuman.htm
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