| Have you ever thought about swimming with dolphins? | | | | therapy are due to far more than just relaxation, |
| If so, then it has probably been something that you | | | | though. Dolphin therapy is a form of therapy that |
| considered doing for recreation. It is something that | | | | appeals to all of the senses. The experience of being |
| many people do on their vacations just to enjoy a new | | | | in the water, of touching and talking with the dolphin |
| experience and have a fun time. However, there might | | | | and of tuning in to the dolphin's sounds and actions can |
| be a more beneficial reason to enjoy this experience. | | | | be very healing. This experience helps patients to tune |
| Swimming with dolphins has been shown to be | | | | in to their own senses, which gives them a better |
| therapeutic. It can help treat a variety of different | | | | understanding of what is going on with their bodies. |
| conditions in both children and adults. Moreover, it can | | | | This understanding can be a first step in healing. |
| promote a general sense of health and wellbeing that | | | | In some cases, health benefits are derived through the |
| would improve the quality of life for almost anyone. | | | | experience of joy and love that happens when simply |
| Dolphin therapy was first discovered as a helpful | | | | swimming with dolphins. Dolphins are playful creatures. |
| therapeutic treatment back in the 1970's. At that time, a | | | | They swim and dance in the water. They leap around. |
| woman named Dr. Betsy Smith was struggling to find | | | | They almost look as if they are smiling. Dolphin therapy |
| a way to assist her disabled brother in having a higher | | | | involves caring for, petting, playing with and even |
| quality of life. She was an educational anthropologist | | | | kissing these wonderful creatures. People who are |
| who was able to take her brother to swim with | | | | having trouble connecting emotionally to other human |
| dolphins. She noticed that the experience benefitted his | | | | beings may find that their ability to connect is |
| health. Shortly thereafter, the effects of dolphin | | | | stimulated through the positive experience of |
| therapy began to be studied. Since then, it has been | | | | connecting with a dolphin. This aspect of dolphin |
| discovered that this form of therapy can be useful in | | | | therapy can be helpful to people suffering from |
| treating a number of different health conditions ranging | | | | depression as well as to children who have Down's |
| from chronic pain to Down's Syndrome. | | | | Syndrome or autism and who may need assistance in |
| The most beneficial aspect of dolphin therapy is that it | | | | learning to form connections. |
| is a very soothing, relaxing experience. Relaxation is a | | | | Dolphin therapy is an alternative form of therapy. It is |
| key part of therapeutic treatment for all patients. | | | | not something that is practiced widely. It is not covered |
| Patients who are capable of being relaxed are better | | | | by health insurance. Patients may be wary of this |
| able to manage their pain, less prone to medical | | | | procedure since it is uncommon and expensive. |
| complications caused by anxiety and generally have a | | | | However, the benefits to the patient can be immense. |
| more positive outlook for their future. Children suffering | | | | It may not be the only form of treatment that a patient |
| from conditions such as ADHD can benefit from | | | | uses but it can certainly be a helpful supplement to |
| simply enjoying relaxing therapeutic treatment. People | | | | other forms of medical care. The experience of |
| suffering from depression, physical pain and | | | | swimming with dolphins is unparalleled. It certainly can't |
| stress-related illness also all benefit from the relaxation | | | | hurt the patient and is very likely to be beneficial to at |
| of this form of therapy. | | | | least a small degree. |
| Many people believe that the benefits of dolphin | | | | |