Etiket therapy

Johanna Holm Proponents claim Dolphin Assisted Therapy (DAT) can help people to ease their mental and physical problems, while the opponents argue that there is no medical proof for this claim and DAT poses serious questions and risks. DAT, is a therapy form offered mainly to children who have mental or physical disorders. Ümit Demir, the program and activity coordinator of Istanbul Dolphinarium believes DAT is a useful method which can help children to reduce the symptoms of certain mental and physical disorders and enhance the healing process. Dolphin assisted therapy was born in the 1970’s in the United States and because of its appeal for people suffering from a wide range of medical disorders quickly became an expanding business sector all over the world. The advocates of DAT argue that it is useful for the therapy of mental and physical problems, such as Down’s syndrome, autism, ADHD (Attention Deficity Hyperactivity Disorder), neurological disorders, depression and even AIDS or cancer. Demir explains that in Istanbul Dolphinarium, where they offer dolphin assisted therapy for handicapped children, there has been many success stories. He especially remembers a child who had Down’s syndrome and was not able to walk or talk. After the sessions with dolphins the child could do both. However, Demir says that they never guarantee one hundred per cent healing. Dolphin assisted therapy, instead of actually healing the handicapped, may stop the disease from developing and ease the symptoms, he claims. For the critics of DAT he says, “Some people may have over exaggerated about DAT and when the miracle healing does not happen, they feel betrayed.” In what ways dolphins can help people overcome their disabilities? Theories suggest that dolphins create ultrasonic waves that penetrate into the soft tissues and fluids of the body. Demir says these waves affect […]