A Research Project Proposal:
Dolphin Assisted Therapy:
History, Status and Future Trends
A Dolphin-Assisted Therapy session, Island Dolphin Care,Inc., Key Largo Florida
DH, instructor;"K", 11-year-old autistic patient; and Squirt, Therapist
Goals:
Definition and Description:
It is our intention to conduct a global assessment of Dolphin Assisted Therapy (DAT), to produce a library of current information with descriptions of programs and protocols, interviews with program Directors and therapists, samples of patient records, documentation of therapy sessions, and comparative evaluations.
A definitive collection will be assembled for the Choices Foundation Library and the Cetacean Studies Institute Archives (CSI), of published papers, program materials, symposium proceedings, video documentaries, recordings and reports, and other relevant information.
The ownership of this collection will be shared by both organizations.
Phase Two: An extensive web site will be assembled, listing available materials for sale or rental, as well as an information service, providing packets of information tailored for the needs of interested clients. The web site will contribute definitions of various protocols, descriptions of programs and their locations, and evaluate programs for specific needs.
The Need:
Alternatives to traditional healing methods are being sought by people of every economic strata. Some of the world's wealthiest people have searched medical resources, seeking cures or relief from suffering, to find that Dolphins have unique powers to heal. Impoverished children in Russia, Mexico and the United States are being successfully treated in DAT programs. This is news of profound implications.
In America, billions of dollars per year are being spent on alternative medical care. Informed choices are important in this growing field, and nothing currently exists for comparative evaluation of the various forms of DAT.
DAT has yet to be adequately defined, with a wide variety of protocols in current use. CSI can contribute significantly to this emerging field of Health care by studying the field, interviewing the key participants, and creating a database, while publishing it's recommendations for definitions and standards in public forums.
Background:
A preliminary assessment of DAT, conducted by CSI over the last four years, has revealed a credible thread of potential healing modalities arising from this work. It is very promising for patients with central nervous system damage or compromise, and the evidence is suggestive of further development of effectiveness as understanding grows.
The Cetacean Studies Institute is uniquely qualified to conduct this research project, with it's reputation for integrity and balance, and it's unequalled connections to all areas of Cetacean studies.
Founded in 1996 for the purpose of enhancing interactions between Humans and Dolphins by building a global archive; conducting research; and producing and disseminating educational materials, CSI has proven capacity to carry out this project to completion.
The Executive Director, C. Scott Taylor is widely recognized as an expert in Human/Dolphin relations, having worked in this field since 1983.
He was the keynote speaker at the Second International Dolphin-Assisted Therapy Research Association Symposium in Cancun, Mexico, 1996.
In recognition of his work, he has been nominated to be an official representative of the Cetacean Nation to the United Nations by the founder of the Cetacean Nation movement, Dr. John C. Lilly, MD.
Choices Foundation, of Sedona Arizona, a 501 (c) 3 foundation, has been established to investigate, validate and educate in the fields of integrated therapies. Its mission is to discover the specific applicability of alternative healing systems and to educate the public about these choices.
Choices Foundation can make a valuable contribution to the field: by administering a research project by the Cetacean Studies Institute, and by maintaining a freely accessible database and library of current information for Doctors, therapists and patients to investigate.
Current Status:
After five years of informal development, this project is now ready to be taken to the next step. We are seeking additional funding to implement our project design. This will include sending a small team, with a video camera and recording gear on an investigative journey, to document therapy sessions, interview major informants and collect data.
Once the collection phase is complete, a process of evaluation will be undertaken to create definitions of the various protocols that fall under the general name of Dolphin-Assisted Therapy.
A library of information will be created, cataloged and installed at the Choices Foundation facilities in Sedona, Arizona, and in Queensland, Australia.
A web site will be created to inform the public, therapists and legislators of the existence of this resource, with information about how to access the database thru Choices and CSI.
In Phase Two of this project, a web site will be built where information can be downloaded, video tapes purchased, and updates can be posted from DAT sites around the world.
It is anticipated that a number of effects will be produced by the availability of this new resource.
1) IDATRA (The International Dolphin-Assisted Therapy Research Association) will be able to grow into the organization that the world-wide community of DAT requires.
2) The database will facilitate the development of another one of CSI's projects, which is the development of a Certification Program for Dolphin-Assisted Therapists, in co-operation with the Universtiy of Natural Medicine, in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and the School of Natural and Complementary Medicine at Southern Cross University in New South Wales, Australia.
Method:
Phase Two:
Assemble web site for public access to information, including sale or rental of videos.
Therapy session with Parent, Trainer and Two Therapists
Locations:
Facilities or locations used for DAT change often. A current list of facilities is available upon request to qualified research partners.
After one week of therapy sessions, patient confidence increases.
Evaluation of Effectiveness:
Tracking of visitors to the on-line database will be accomplished electronically, to determine general levels of interest.
All requests for information packets will be entered into a developing database.
A response form will be mailed to each recipient of any packet sent out, with a simple questionaire asking for feedback on:
An annual review will be conducted to discover trends in accessing, effectiveness of marketing and perceived value of the service.
Project Timeline:
6 weeks to prepare questionaires, identify key informants, schedule visits, outline and book itinerary
12 weeks of travel
16 weeks to compile report, assemble library and produce initial introductory web site
2 weeks to present report and set up library
Total: 36 weeks
A Dolphin Therapist, Dolphin Discovery, Mexico
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