Swimming Therapy

Aquatic therapy has long understood that being in the water has a therapeutic effect on people with varying types of disabilities (McKinney, A; Wolf, R.; 2001). Being in the water allows people that are in wheelchairs, freedom on movement otherwise not experience. To this benefit include dolphins. Dolphins have been cited as having special capabilities that enhance healing potential in people with disabilities (Johnson, L.; Bourne, R.).

Dolphin Therapy refers to a type of treatment for people with and without disabilities by using dolphin interaction as an attempt to rectify or lessen the disability.

Dolphin assisted therapy dates back to the 1950s and the work of Dr. John Lilly, who studied the effects of dolphins on individuals with disabilities (McKinney, A; Wolf, R.; 2001).

This treatment combines two elements that have demonstrated great promise in therapy with children: interaction with an animal and immersion in warm water. Typically this treatment is combined with speech therapist, hydrotherapy, and massage.

Some therapist believe that because dolphins seem to enjoy spontaneous nonverbal play and have a reputation for being both gentile and attentive, that these animals may be able to help them each and motivate otherwise unresponsive people. (Livermore, B; 1991)

Theories range from a belief that individual experience stimulation of the immune system when interacting with dolphin, thus promoting healing; to a belief that the individuals receive such joy and unconditional love from dolphins that they are more apt to experience recovery.

One of the most popular theories is that the dolphin's use of sonar and echolocation produces changes in a person's body tissue and cell structure. Similar to the effect of music therapy, some researches have suggested that the sounds dolphins emit thought their whistles and clicks help produce these change.

Echolocation is claimed to affect brain wave pattern & human tissue. Echolocation is a technique on which Dolphins frequently rely to navigate, locate food and communicate with other dolphins. Is a technique that the dolphins use to produce sounds (Soothing noises) (McKinney, A; Wolf, R.; 2001). It is claimed Echolocation affects the brain wave pattern & human tissue. It is also thought to help increase attention span, develop motor skills, and develop better coordination in children.

Some say that the dolphin's use of sonar and echolocation produce changes in the body tissue and cell structure of patients who associate with them. The sound waves emitted by the dolphins in communication and echolocation stimulate healing.

Results obtained to date reveal that after swimming with dolphins in situations where subjects can hear dolphin acoustic emissions; there is an increase in left- right hemispheric synchronization and an increase in slow (alpha/theta) brainwave activity.

Researchers attribute the diminishing of anxiety and depression, enhanced learning in handicapped children and pain relief to dolphin echolocation.