Children swim with dolphins and are motivated to respond to behavioural techniques through their desire to interact with them. The dolphins appear to show a patient acceptance of the child. This is claimed to improve mental and physical learning and development. Many people want their children to swim with dolphins simply for the pleasure of the experience, rather than as a structured therapy.
The Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society has recently expressed concern about swimming with dolphins, because the dolphins are taken from the wild, cross-infection may take place, some dolphins may become aggressive, and they are not satisfied that there is proof of efficacy of it as a therapy. http://tinyurl.com/325cjx.
The Alexander Trust and International Dolphin Watch study dolphin human therapy, and provide information and support for families of children with cerebral palsy who are interested in it. Tel: 01373 452655, www.thealexandertrust.com.
Lukina LN. Contact with dolphins as a method of rehabilitation of children with enuresis at health resorts. Voprosy kurortologii, fizioterapii, i lechebnoĭ fizicheskoĭ kultury, 2001 May-Jun;(3):29-30. [Otherwise little related research was found.]
