A Research Project Proposal:

Dolphin Assisted Therapy:

History, Status and FutureTrends

A Dolphin-Assisted Therapy session, Island Dolphin Care,Inc., Key Largo Florida

Deena Hoagland, LCSW;" K", 13 year old autistic patient;and Squirt, Therapist

Goals:

• To produce a current and comprehensive database on Dolphin-Assisted Therapy
  with a physical archive and web site
• to develop specific definitions of Dolphin-Assisted Therapy and it's protocols .
• to substantiate the perceived value of in-water encounters with Dolphins,
  in programs designed as therapeutic sessions .

Definition and Description:

It is our intention to conduct a global assessment of Dolphin Assisted Therapy (DAT), to producea 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 FoundationLibrary 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 availablematerials for sale or rental, as well as an information service, providingpackets of information tailored for the needs of interested clients. Theweb site will contribute definitions of various protocols, descriptionsof programs and their locations, and evaluate programs for specific needs.

The Need:

Alternatives to traditional healing methods are being sought by peopleof every economic strata. Some of the worlds wealthiest people have searchedmedical resources, seeking cures or relief from suffering, to find thatDolphins have unique powers to heal. Impoverished children in Russia, Mexicoand the United States are being successfully treated in DAT programs. Thisis news of profound implications.

In America, billions of dollars per year are being spent on alternativemedical care. Informed choices are important in this growing field, andnothing currently exists for comparative evaluation of the effectiveapplications of DAT.

DAT has yet to be adequately defined, with a wide variety of protocolsin current use. CSI can contribute significantly to this emerging fieldof Health care by studying the field, interviewing the key participants,and creating a database, while publishing it's recommendations for definitionsand standards in public forums.

Background:

A preliminary assessment of DAT, conducted by CSI over the last fouryears, has revealed a credible thread of potential healing modalities arisingfrom this work. It is very promising for patients with central nervous systemdamage or compromise, and the evidence is suggestive of further developmentof effectiveness as understanding grows.

The Cetacean Studies Institute is uniquely qualified to conductthis research project, with it's reputation for integrity and balance, andit'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 fieldsof integrated therapies. It's mission is to discover the specific applicabilityof 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 Byron Bay, 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:

• Travel to interview therapists, program Directors, patients. Observe and document sessions.
• Gather materials: program marketing materials, protocol descriptions, forms used for admission and evaluation, video tape of interviews and sessions.
• Analyse materials: statistical evaluations; comparative analysis
• Produce report of data and conclusions on the Internet.
• Assemble and install library materials for Choices Foundation and Cetacean Studies Institute archives.
• Submit final report to funding agencies.

Phase Two:

Assemble web site for public access to information, including sale or rental of video tapes.

Therapy session with Parent, Trainer and Two Therapists

Locations:

Facilities or locations used for DAT and known to exist (others may beadded):

Note: Some programs are run in non-managed situations, using wild Dolphins.Other programs do not have facilities, but provide access to Dolphins byarrangement with facilities.

Colorado

Living from the Heart (Morrison)

Florida

Dolphin Research Center
Theater of the Sea
Dolphin's Plus (Island Dolphin Care, Inc.)
Clearwater Aquarium
Upledger Institute
St. Augustine Eco-Plex
Orlando (Discovery Cove, Disney World)

Mexico

Dolphin Discovery (three facilities: Isla Mujeres, Puerto Aventuras, Cozumel)
Xcaret
Xel-Ha
Mexico City (Delphinarium)

Bahamas

Grand Bahama (UNEXO)
Bimini (Spirit of the Dolphin and DolphinSwim)

Israel

Eilat (Dolphin Reef Eilat)

Russia

Ukraine, on the Black Sea (Kazachya Bay Naval Base)

Hawaii

Big Island (Dolphin Connection)
Maui (POD Centre)

Australia

After one week of therapy sessions, patient confidence increases.

Cooperating Organizations:

Project Timeline:

A Dolphin Therapist, Dolphin Discovery, Mexico