Dolphin Assisted Therapy: Can Swimming with Dolphins Be a Suitable Treatment?

Source:

Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, Volume 50, Issue 6, p.477 (2008)

Layperson Summary:

Dolphin Assisted Therapy (DAT) may not be effective, and has risks for both people and dolphins.

The Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society urges caution for the sake of people and animals when thinking about dolphin therapy. There is no proof that dolphin assisted therapy works. Also, there are risks in putting weak people who are in need of therapy in the water with dolphins, which are large, strong animals. Dolphins are wild animals, even when highly trained, and can be hard to predict. Right now there are no rules for dolphin therapists and this can also increase the risk of dolphin therapy.

Scientific Abstract

page last updated 07/14/2008

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