Dolphin therapy and its benefits for children

Every year interest in the treatment of animals is increasing. And this is not unreasonable. People are very helpful horses, dolphins, dogs, cats and other animals in the fight against their ailments. Each animal performs its functions and deserves great attention.

Do you know that:

• Dolphin is considered one of the smartest animals;
• The dolphin has a very good temper and will never harm humans even in the wild, despite being a predator;
• Dolphins are very playful and inquisitive;
• Dolphins have such a strong nose that they can kill a shark with one blow;
• A dolphin can, like an ultrasound machine, recognize that a woman is pregnant;
• For the dolphins, their pack is very important, they can help each other and even give birth to the members of their pack.

In the second half of the twentieth century, oceanariums and dolphinariums began to open in America. And thanks to the observation of the dolphins and their interaction with humans, it was noticed that these animals can be treated.

The founder of dolphin therapy is the American psychologist David Nathanson. He first noticed and described the benefits of communicating with dolphins. He watched a group of children with Down syndrome, who were in the water with dolphins, and saw that animals that were not specially prepared for therapeutic measures still treated the children very carefully. At the same time, during these conversations, quite good results were obtained in the fight against the disease.

Later, scientists and doctors from Canada, Japan, Germany and other countries began to study and develop dolphin therapy.

In Russia, this technique was recognized not so long ago, but the fact that in the USSR in Sevastopol at the same time as the Americans, GA Shurepova conducted classes with dolphin therapy with adults, during which the effectiveness of such exercises was proved, is remarkable. People began to feel better, their motor activity improved and their emotional state returned to normal.

What is the use of communicating with dolphins? As in the case of treatment with other animals, several factors affect the human body.

Being in the water with an animal, the child relaxes and feels comfortable.. Confidence gives him the realization that next to him is such a large and strong animal, and that he performs with the dolphin some actions.

Dolphins are immensely good-natured and playful, they will never prefer loneliness and will definitely play with the child. They adore children. These animals give a powerful positive charge, significantly improve mood and give confidence.

Also to the positive factors should be attributed to the hydromassage received by a child in the water. It is especially useful and indicated for children with diseases of the musculoskeletal system, problems with muscle tone. During the movement of the dolphin, the oscillations of water are transmitted to the child, which is very useful for the whole organism.

But the main uniqueness of dolphins and the main therapeutic effect in their ability to produce specific ultrasounds.

There are many benefits to communicating with dolphins to many people. But perhaps the most common disease that dolphin therapy is struggling with is autism in children. Also, this method of treatment is prescribed for the following diseases:

• Cerebral palsy;
• Down syndrome;
• Hyperactivity;
• Sleep disturbances;
• Hearing impairment;
• Blurred vision;
• Speech disorders;
• Neurosis;
• Memory problems;
• Various involuntary movements, such as: nervous tics, spasms;
• Depression;
• Various diseases of the musculoskeletal system.

Dolphin therapy is sometimes recommended for adults, healthy people. Especially well it helps to relieve stress to representatives of such dangerous professions as: rescuer, fireman, policeman.

Of course, dolphin therapy has contraindications, although it seems at first glance absolutely safe. These include:

• Epilepsy;
• Oncological diseases;
• Cardiovascular failure;
• Infectious diseases;
• The presence of open wounds;
• Diseases of the nervous system in severe form.

In case of cancer, it is not recommended to resort to treatment with dolphins, because it activates and triggers all the processes in the body, including the growth of tumors. However, if we are talking about the initial stage, then you should even turn to dolphins for positive emotions.

Dolphin therapy sessions can be carried out using one of the following methods:

• Organized. Experts build up a lesson, taking into account the patient’s peculiarities, develop an action plan, closely monitor the progress of the tasks, analyze the result.
• Unorganized. The patient is given the opportunity to build his own relationships and communication with animals. The participation of specialists is reduced only to control over the safety of humans and animals.

The first method is used much more often, because dolphin therapy is designed to solve many serious health problems. And this requires a certain organization and intervention of specialists.

The second version of dolphin therapy, of course, also gives good results in many cases, for example, in getting rid of depression or just relaxation, but in our country it is less in demand.

The course of treatment, as a rule, consists of 7-10 classes, each session lasts 10-15 minutes, in rare cases 20. It is worth noting that dolphins get very tired during the session, so they need time to rest.

Dolphin therapy consists of two stages:

• Passive. The patient and the dolphin are being trained for classes - the instructor uses special techniques to adapt the child and activate the dolphin.
• Active. The direct interaction of the child and the animal, the implementation of certain tasks and exercises.

The very same occupation is not only swimming in water with an animal, it is also a game with it. For example, an instructor may ask a child to throw a dolphin a ball or hoop.

Also, being on a side or a ladder, the child receives ultrasonic signals. This happens when the dolphin swims and touches the patient with the nose. To this is also set aside a certain time.

And most importantly - the interaction with the animal in the water. It is at this moment that the treatment is carried out to the maximum, the main psychological relief occurs, the child feels calm and satisfied, a very large amount of endorphin is released in the blood.

Experts say that the result is noticeable after the third lesson, sometimes after the first one. But it should be understood that the lower the age at which you start classes, the better the effect will be.

Dolphin treatment is practiced in many cities: Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kislovodsk, Yevpatoria, Alushta, Yalta, Gelendzhik, Anapa, Sochi, Rostov-on-Don, Yekaterinburg and other settlements.

It is extremely difficult to find negative reviews about such a treatment method as dolphin therapy. After all, this is undoubtedly an effective way to combat many diseases.But such activities are quite expensive, and some families have to refuse treatment with dolphins precisely because. Also, you need to sign up for such sessions in advance, sometimes even six months or a year.

Dolphins have helped so many children and their parents. So, parents of autistic children say that after talking with dolphins, the child began to feel much more confident, got rid of phobias, became more open to communication, many children who had a speech delay began to pronounce words.

It was noted that in children with cerebral palsy, nervous excitability decreased, thought processes, learning ability, memory, speech, physical activity improved, muscle tone significantly decreased.

Some parents are grateful to the dolphins for completely curing their children from stutter.

There is also an opinion supported by the results that dolphin therapy is quite effective in case of enuresis.

Excitable, hyperactive children after the first lesson become calmer and more balanced in the opinion of doctors and patients.

Some adults like to spend time this way - swimming with a dolphin. They say that it is very relaxing, gives strength and confidence, improves the overall physical condition.

Summarizing, we can say that dolphin therapy is a very effective method of treatment, yielding results rather quickly, requires regular training and a certain attitude.

About the benefits of dolphin therapy, see the video below.