Dolphin Encounters

I have always been fascinated by dolphins.  As a young girl growing up in Wisconsin I remember watching the “Flipper” television series (really giving away my age here!) and years later when we relocated to Florida I was mesmerized to see wild dolphins swimming just off the coast of our favorite beach spot seeming to delight in surfing the waves and occasionally showing off with leaps and twists straight out of the water.  Even now, I marvel at their beauty, intelligence and apparent intuitiveness.  Getting to swim with the dolphins at Sea World’s Discovery Cove a few years ago was a heartwarming experience. The fun, joy and sense of well-being after hanging out with these amazing sea creatures makes me a believer in Dolphin Assisted Therapy programs for children with special needs.  One well known program in Florida is Island Dolphin Care in Key Largo. This nonprofit experiential/teaching center brings in children from all over the world to spend a week or more at a camp where the kids have water time and interaction with the staff dolphins and their trainers and instructors as well exposure to other sea creatures with their marine science program. And the results?.........Just watch and let us know what you think!