VIRTUAL DOLPHIN THERAPY

Painting courtesy Horace Dobbs do not copy or use without permission

Delphis mdc is an association for the preservation of cetaceans, and, as a consequence, respectful of the uniqueness of this highly evolved species of marine mammals. For this reason,Delphis members condemn the use of keeping dolphins under captivity, in pools of aquariums and dolphinariums. In this pages you will find information about virtual dolphin therapy,which do not speculate on animals.

In the last 20 years people have been rediscovering that a close contact with the nature is good for the health, and in these days more and more is talked about therapies by means of animals: dogs, horses, dolphins.We believe that the basic idea is good, because it is natural, but it is important to avoid overworking or even tiring the "therapist-animal" just to support the therapy or the profit.
Nowadays we face offers from all over the world concerning "swim-with-the-dolphins" programs that, if on one hand guarantee earnings to the organisers, on the other hand modify habits and behavioural aspects of dolphins' life, with consequences possibly irreparable. Natural man-dolphin encounters (not tour-organized) almost always involve isolated dolphins, turned away from their groups or orphans. Those dolphins seek in men a substitute of the social relationship represented in nature by the herd. Moreover, it is worth noting that not every solitary dolphin has a friendly character, and some of them became famous because they broke legs and arms of swimmers who approached them inadequately.
Notwithstanding, many people received great benefits from meetings with dolphins, and those animals were able to unlock pathologies which were considered serious or incurable.For this reason, in many dolphinariums programs of therapy-in-pool are organised: here, though, dolphins are forced and prisoners, their territory is very narrow, and abnormal behaviour (even aggressive) is not rare.

DOLPHIN DOME PROJECT

Dolphin therapy is possible even without real dolphins, by simulating underwater environmental conditions with images and sounds driven by the therapists.

Since 1986, Dr. Horace Dobbs, medical research scientist, author, Founder of the Oxford Underwater Research Group and later Founder of International Dolphin Watch, has meticulously researched how the healing effect of dolphins can be recreated using art and the latest technology. This led in 2002, with a group of dedicated people, to the foundation of an innovative development - the Dolphin Dome Project .

AIMS
Recreating the life enhancing experience of encounters with dolphins by bringing together the arts, science, technology and medicine - for the benefit of humans, dolphins and the environment.

Integrating Health, Education, Research and Conservation

Health
- Enhance health and healing in children, young people and adults utilising the benefits which result from the relationship between dolphins and humans.
The Dome will utilise cutting edge technology designed to recreate an environment, conducive to the health and well-being of children, young people and adults. To bring about health and healing to individuals (including those with neurological, psychological and physical impairments) using simulated healing effects of the kind that arise from encounters and relationships between dolphins and humans. To integrate these with orthodox and complementary healthcare.

Education
- Advance education, communication and learning especially using dolphin associated activities to stimulate the human mind and where appropriate, integrate with existing educational programmes.
To link the Dilo Dolphin Dome Project with current educational and integrated health programmes and provide an environment for children, young people and adults where they can participate in and learn about the marine environment, especially dolphins. To use the human-dolphin relationship to improve literacy and communication skills.

Conservation
- To promote the conservation, protection and improvement of the environment, especially the marine environment.

Research
- To research all aspects of the Dilo Dolphin Dome Project, where appropriate in association with universities and health organisations, and provide a basis for future developments.
Innovative approaches and state of the art technologies will be used to both simulate and investigate the somatic and psychological effects often experienced during human-dolphin interaction, without recourse to captive dolphins. It is anticipated that the research programme will eventually be extended to embrace other facets of complementary medicine as we move towards the holistic attributes that an integrated healthcare system can offer.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY