The alternative to DAT

There are many alternatives which show great results but do not seem to be as widely publicised as Dolphin Assisted Therapy. It would appear that dolphin therapy has been seized upon by facilities following the decline in numbers of people willing to pay to see dolphins simply as "performers". It is also a way to boost takings and make more money out of the dolphin that they may have paid up to $100,000 for. All of the "firsts" that people on these trips experience can be done without having to include touching and petting captive dolphins.

Interestingly, studies have discovered that HUMAN interaction programs and positive reinforcement methods are far more successful that dolphin therapy programmes, with as much as a 65% success rate.

Craniosacral therapy is a method proven to work with autistic children as well as for many other complications. At a much lower price and easily accessible in many countries worldwide, this therapy is a proven, long-term, closely monitored tool to alleviate many symptoms such as depression, autism and other ailments. In a published article John Page of the Upledger Institute UK is quoted as saying; "Through craniosacral therapy, the brain is able to recover right up until the skull is fully grown, which is usually in the early teens. I have treated a couple of autistic children and they responded very well."

A Tactile Room is also another treatment option. Filled with sights, sounds, textures and aromas which enable children to develop their coordination, sensory integration and muscle strength, these rooms are specifically equipped to improve tactile adaptability. Tactile rooms offer stimulation or relaxation depending upon individual requirements. In this safe, non-threatening setting children have colourful objects to touch, buttons and switches to explore, lights and colours to watch - all under the supervision of qualified therapists. This option would give greater benefits because, not only would a greater number of patients be able to receive treatment, but also constant, follow up support from the hospital could be offered. All of this, at a fraction of the cost incurred by individual trips to DAT facilities, and without subjecting dolphins to a lifetime of captivity in the name of "therapy".

There has also been research carried out into the use of domestic animals such as dogs and their impact on behaviour. People talk about the relationship of the client and dolphin within dolphin therapy but a genuine relationship, not one rooted in performance for food, can be built so easily on a long-term basis with domestic dogs. This is especially appropriate where a vulnerable person is paired up with a deprived or homeless dog in need of affection.

German association “Autism” has stated that it considers the development of increasingly offering DAT in dolphinariums to be questionable. Maria Kaminski, its president explains “Despite intensive research, there is still no scientific proof that DAT helps curing autistic children. To help them, the association strongly recommends a lovingly consistent education, behavioural therapy including preparation of speaking and social training. Dolphins are wild animals. It’s a matter of ethics, whether we are allowed to deprive them of their freedom to exploit them for questionable purposes.”

The Marine Connection welcomes these comments because attributing dolphins with “healing powers” is irresponsible both to the human and dolphin participants. To mislead vulnerable people to pay large sums of money (up to US$8000) in the belief that their loved ones will somehow be “cured”, when this therapy has been proved to be no more effective than petting domestic animals, is a gross deception by facilties offering such programmes.