Dolphin therapy in the Crimea: description, features, results and reviews

Dolphin therapy is a young and promising direction in psychological, psychiatric and medico-rehabilitation practice. It is based on the use of natural ultrasonic vibrations emitted by a dolphin. And also direct contact, communication and interaction with the animal.

Dolphin therapy is an excellent method of medical and psychological recovery of people who have suffered all sorts of diseases. It is prescribed for the treatment of psychosomatic illnesses, neurological disorders, and developmental delays and delays. This is an effective way of rehabilitation after suffering serious injuries and mental shocks. It is especially favorable for children with Down syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy, hyperactivity, speech, attention, hearing and having problems with socialization.

It is important to understand that this method is not a panacea. However, it can be an incentive in those situations when the treatment can not move from a dead center.

Where can I take a course?

Popular in Russia, the place of passage of this procedure is the peninsula Crimea. Here the course of dolphin therapy can be done in several places:

• Partenit village (Crimea). Dolphin therapy is held in one of the major administrative districts - Bolshoy Alushta. Also there are many attractions. This service is offered by the sanatorium "Crimea". Dolphin therapy is carried out in a comfortable indoor sea basin. And also the service is available in the Dolphinarium "Watercolor" of the city of Alushta.
• The city of Yalta. Dolphinarium "Water".
• The city of Feodosia. The Dolphinarium of Nemo.
• The city of Evpatoria. It is here that the institute is located, where one of the promising directions in science on the peninsula Crimea - dolphin therapy is being explored. Evpatoria allows you to combine rest with treatment. The Dolphin Therapy Institute provides an opportunity to undergo this procedure by an officially registered method. This organization collected a huge amount of research and practical material in this field.

Institute of Dolphin Therapy

The opening of the Institute of Dolphin Therapy took place in 2003. This is the largest center in the Crimea for studying human interaction with dolphins. Experts from Russia, Ukraine, Germany and the USA participated in its creation. This event was preceded by a large-scale 6-year research work in the field of psychology, psychiatry, marine biology, computer science, etc. As a result, the first official dolphin therapy program (abbreviated DAT - from Dolphin Assisted Therapy) was successfully developed in the CIS countries as a method of medical and psychological rehabilitation.

Why dolphins?

Dolphins are classified as secondary animals. Presumably, they had land ancestors, but for some evolutionary reasons they returned to dwelling in the water environment. In biological systematics, these animals are referred to a common class of mammals, the distinctive feature of which is the feeding of young in milk.

These are social animals. They live exclusively in flocks, communicate and interact with each other. They have a large enough brain capable of providing them with complex behavioral reactions.

The useful therapeutic effect of human-dolphin interaction has been known since the 1970s. Then clinical psychologist David Natanson, working with children with Down syndrome, included in the treatment procedure swimming sessions with dolphins. He found that the small patients who communicated with these animals were getting better 4 times faster. In addition, children became more contact, sociable and liberated and were able to catch up with their healthy peers in their development. So began the development of the method of dolphin therapy, which has spread in more than 20 countries around the world.

Ways to communicate dolphins

As already mentioned, dolphins are social creatures. They have their own language of communication, which ensures communication in the pack. Signals issued by these animals are divided into two groups:

• "Twitter" and "whistle" - this is a whole group of signals, differing in duration, frequency. With their help, dolphins communicate with relatives and express a whole palette of emotions.
• Echolocation, or sonar - allows you to explore the surrounding space, to distinguish between underwater objects, their shape, size, as well as other animals and humans. Dolphins produce these signals at very high ultrasonic frequencies that are inaccessible to human hearing.

It is the ability to echolocation and formed the basis of dolphin therapy.

Dolphin therapy in the Crimea: description and essence of the method

Dolphin therapy as a method of medical and psychological rehabilitation includes two blocks:

• diagnostics;
• correction.

At the same time during the procedure, the dolphin acts as a source of ultrasonic signals. However, during the procedure, the radiation level to the patient will be monitored using a special device - a hydrophone. This allows you to make ultrasonic effects directional and highly effective.

During the procedure, the child is directly contacted with the dolphin. In this case, the animal acts as a therapist. As it turned out, this interaction greatly stimulates the child's physical, mental and speech development.

What happens during dolphin therapy?

At the first stages of the procedure, the brain of the child undergoes enhanced activation. There is a union and processing simultaneously all signals perceived by the senses - visual, auditory, tactile, olfactory. Thus, the brain starts to work in the mode of increased power.

Gradually, the so-called communicative resonance between the child and the dolphin is established. And at this moment there is an amazing fact - a man and a dolphin enter the phase of a single psychological and motor (motor) functioning. Then under the guidance of the therapist supervising the course, the child performs a series of exercises with the animal. The whole process is accompanied by constant verbal and non-verbal communication with the dolphin.

Against which diseases does it work?

Dolphin therapy in the Crimea is shown as a preventive measure for the following childhood diseases and abnormalities:

• Cerebral palsy ; cerebral palsy ;
• RDA - early childhood autism;
• Down's syndrome and other genetic pathologies;
• MMD - minimal brain dysfunction;
• ADHD - attention deficit hyperactivity disorder;
• Functional disorders of the central nervous system (CNS);
• Mental retardation (excluding a deep degree);
• Speech and auditory disorders;
• NST - sensorineural hearing loss;
• Neuroses;
• Post-traumatic stresses and disorders;
• Depressive disorders of non-endogenous nature (subdepressive level);
• Memory disorders;
• Learning disabilities.

In addition, dolphin therapy is applied in the Crimea for the rehabilitation of children affected by natural disasters, catastrophes, wars, terrorist acts and other emergencies. Also this method is suitable for adult patients as prevention and treatment of neuroses, psychosomatic disorders, vegetovascular dystonia, chronic pain relief, recovery from heart attacks and strokes.

Indications and contraindications

Dolphin therapy in Crimea is shown to both adults and children of at least 1 year old age. However, there is a method of working with toddlers and of an earlier age. The decisive role is played by the specific disease and its severity. Therefore, a preliminary consultation of a specialist is necessary.

It is desirable that a child preparing to undergo therapy should have minimal swimming skills. In another case, the process will be longer. However, to ensure safety, the child will be in the water in the life jacket.

This procedure is especially beneficial for the whole family. In this case, the rehabilitation of the child will be more gentle and more effective. In addition, all family members receive positive emotions during the session, which is good for their relationship.

Dolphin therapy in Crimea (and in other centers) is contraindicated for persons suffering from epilepsy, infectious diseases in acute stage, oncological.

What does the course consist of?

Dolphin therapy in Crimea includes 5 to 10 sessions in two weeks (standard course). Intensive consists of 14-20 days of daily procedures. First, the patient is interviewed by a specialist and subjected to a medical examination. Then he starts swimming with dolphins under the guidance of a therapist. The course will depend on the specific venue, be it Yalta, Feodosia or Partenit (Crimea).

Dolphin therapy for a child is an excellent opportunity to combine useful with pleasant. The session, as already mentioned, can take place with the participation of its parents. If necessary, connect other types of treatment, namely:

• Kinesitherapy;
• Thallasotherapy;
• Physiotherapy;
• massage;
• Lessons with a speech therapist;
• The work of a psychotherapist and a psychologist.

There are special programs for adult patients, allowing to remove manifestations of depressive, neurotic, psychosomatic and other conditions.

Dolphin therapy in the Crimea: prices and courses

The price of a full course of dolphin therapy is quite high. But, judging by the feedback of people who passed the procedure, its effectiveness justifies all expectations. The price range is indicated in the table.

Rehabilitation in Crimea (dolphin therapy) - prices:

Prices for dolphin therapy may vary depending on the season.

General recommendations and tips

Before you go to the course of dolphin therapy, you need to consult with your doctor. This simple measure will avoid possible complications. Also, a specialist consultation (or several) will be provided directly at the site of the procedure. Therefore, it is necessary to take with him an extract from the medical history, a medical report with a diagnosis and other references. It is better to clarify the composition of the package of documents by phone.

In advance, discuss with the instructor all the details - the need for a wetsuit, a swimming vest, water temperature in the pool and indoors, the presence of swimming skills or fear of water. These minor, at first glance, moments can introduce additional discomfort.

Before you arrive at the site of dolphin therapy, take care of accommodation throughout the course. It is not necessary to be located on the territory of a sanatorium / dolphinarium. You can settle in the nearest hotel or private sector. In advance, consider the living conditions (floor, the presence of elevators, steps, handrails, handrails), especially for people with disabilities. For example, courses of dolphin therapy on the basis of the sanatorium "Crimea" already imply the accommodation of holidaymakers on the territory of the complex. In some other points of providing such services, it is better to think over the issue of housing separately.