Learn about the benefits of delphinotherapy

• May 1, 2024

Interaction with dolphins, mainly Tursiops truncatus , inside the zoological and aquarium pools. With this activity, the people in charge of zoos affirm that it improves the quality of life of children suffering from disabilities related to the central nervous system. It also applies to adults in the process of drug detoxification, with depressed people, stressed and even with pregnant women.

It is demonstrated that dolphins are animals that have a high sensitivity that emits ultrasonic waves of different types, which circulate throughout the body of the person treated and that operate beneficially on the nervous system; These generate endorphins and other substances that help improve the connection between neurons, and also encourage the functioning of both cerebral hemispheres. The neurological and neurochemical changes that are generated translate into various physical, emotional and intellectual benefits, such as improvements in the immune system, improvements in motor coordination, mood, social contact, and language.

Like other therapies assisted by animals, it aims to improve the mood and psychic state of the participants, providing:

• More self-confidence and self-control in their actions.
• Improvement of mental self-control
• Interest in relating to the environment.
• Improvement of muscle tone (by swimming).

It usually consists of baths of between 15 and 30 min, in which the person or group is accompanied by a caregiver who directs the dolphin exercises.

One of the most studied phenomena in relation to dolphin therapy is its didactic potential, especially in the learning of children with down syndrome, having observed that children with this condition, who have interacted with dolphins, have learned from 2 to 10 times faster than those who did not, and that in 50% of the cases, they could retain such lessons even one year after the therapy.

Treatment with delphinotherapy is also applicable to individuals with nervous system disorders, cases of cancer, mental problems, and motor impairments whether congenital or acquired.

Video Medicine: Hawaii's Dolphin Therapy Program for Addicts (May 2024).