DOLPHIN THERAPY CENTER

Kaş - Antalya - Turkey

Mega Sport Travel Germany und Onmega Ltd. Consulting Dept. Health-Tourism Turkey are the official Agents of the Dolphin Therapy Center, Kaş, under the management of experienced Dolphin Therapy doctors with specialists in Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, Anaesthesia, Physiotherapy and Pediatric medicine.

DOLPHIN THERAPY
The Dolphin Therapy enables mentally or physically handicapped children to find new ways to health:
- Brief Journey
- Healthy, sunny climate (sunshine 300 days a year)
- Beautiful locality of Kaş
- 3-star hotels, suitable for handicapped, half-board
- Hospital with Pediatrician 6 minutes away
- best seawater-animal enclosure solution (no concrete swimming pool)
- the dolphinarium is strictly for therapeutic purposes - no shows for tourists
- experienced Dolphin Therapy team of doctors and dolphin trainer
- 10 direct-contact Dolphin Therapy sessions, 45 minutes each with dolphin
- 10 Physiotherapy sessions in Hotel REHA Praxis with Physiologist, 1 hour daily
- Family-care, Translator, Chauffeur/daily minibus transfer
- Doctor’s Therapy Report
- Best Price/Service Ratio
- Complete Service and Travel programme through Mega Sport Touristik
- Invoice suitable for tax-reduction purposes

Our free water dolphin therapy and Rehabilitation Center Kaş / Turkey is located on the coast, surrounded by lush vegetation. The beautiful country-side has been spared the stress of mass-tourism. Our Center provides Dolphin Therapy for handicapped children, and adults, carried out by a team of very experienced doctors. Therapy for older patients is decided upon by the doctors according to the patient’s medical profile.

For more than thirty years Russian doctors and scientists have been leading the world in research in animal assisted therapy using dolphins under the state research programme at the Research Institute for "Pediatric Health and Physiotherapy" in Ukraine. Using a special therapy programme methods are used to progressively reactivate the patients, to stimulate them and ease tension, in cases such as Cerebral paralysis, Autism, Downs syndrome and mental disablement. The Therapy Center has at present dolphins in a large area of azure blue clear seawater, bordered with nets, in a protected and remote bay near Kaş.

Only a few hold dolphins in seawater as they should. It is scientifically proved that in concrete bordered pools the sonar frequency of the sea mammals, that is so important for the therapy, is disturbed.

The climate on the south coast of Turkey is ideal for our type of work. Situated in a green and almost untouched coastal landscape, the free water dolphinarium and the nearby romantic fishing village of Kaş provide the optimal atmosphere for families and patients to benefit in full from the dolphin therapy. The water temperatures are in April 18°C, from May to June 25°C, from July to September 30°C, and from October to December sinking to 24°C.

The Course comprises of 10 Therapy sessions, 45 minutes each, over 14 days. Direct Dolphin contact is guaranteed. The Doctor’s Supervision and treatment is supported by the Dolphin trainer and family members. During the Therapy sessions the dolphinarium is off limits to everyone not taking part.

INDICATIONS
The therapy is carried out with children from the age of one year. The doctors have particular experience with young children. A requirement is the ability to be in water without being afraid, without this ability the course of therapy is lengthened. At all times the child wears a safety vest but no neoprene suit as this would act as a barrier against sonic waves.

TREATABLE ILLNESSES / DISABILITIES
Autism, Downs Syndrome, Depression, also for adults (except Endogenous Depression), ADHS (Attention deficit Hyperactivity disorder), Neurotic disorders, Brain trauma (if no Cramp Syndrome present), Brain paralysis (if no Cramp Syndrome present), Pediatric Cerebral paralysis, Ecological non-adaptations, Post comatose condition, Primary headache (Cephalgie), Chronic tiredness syndrome, Retarded speech development, Retarded mental development, Massive psychological and complex Trauma, Pediatric Neurosis (Phobia, Enuresis, Asthenia).

The illnesses listed above have all been successfully treated with dolphin therapy. After an examination of the child’s medical history and the questionnaire the doctors will decide which therapy and methods of treatment will be the most beneficial.

CONTRAINDICATIONS
Epilepsy (under several conditions), Acute respiratory illnesses, Oncologically ill children, General contraindications for rehabilitation courses within the scope of the health resort circumstances.

TYPES OF THERAPY
Therapeutic swimming with dolphin, Psychotherapy (also with parents), Physiotherapy, Vibro-acoustic therapy, Binaural psychic stimulation, Reflex therapy.

DURATION OF THE COURSE
The Course comprises 10 daily sessions with direct dolphin contact, Doctor and trainer, over 14 days.

THERAPY CONCEPT
The therapeutic method is based upon a system of medical-psychological Rehabilitation for the child. The physical contact of the child with the dolphin in the water is most important as it promotes the mental and physical development of the handicapped child. The Rehabilitation comprises 10 intensive Therapy sessions within 14 days. If necessary, or if so wished, the parents may also take part and/or other therapeutic treatments may be undertaken. e.g. Thalasso therapy, Kinesotherapy, Psychotherapy with a communicative aspect, Physiotherapy, Ultrasonic therapy (using the natural Sonar effect of the dolphin).

The Russian specialists call the following a "Therapeutic Metaphor" : One should imagine the dolphin as a "needle" that can pass through all pathological and mental barriers of a child, pulling with it a "thread", the "thread" being other types of therapeutic treatment that are now enabled to work effectively.

EFFECTS AND RESULTS OF DOLPHIN THERAPY
Dolphin Therapy modifies and corrects patterns of behavior; this motivates the patient and leads to a great improvement of cognition. This Effect has made it to one of the most successful methods used in complex rehabilitation. Dolphin Therapy acts as a strong catalyst which enables other forms of therapeutic treatment to work effectively

DOLPHIN-THERAPY IN GENERAL
The Dolphin Therapy enables mentally or physically handicapped children to find new ways to health. Methods have been developed after much research with dolphins that create contact with specially trained dolphins. Under the supervision of doctors and a swimming instructor the animals can make contact with the patient which opens possibilities that no medication can provide. It is most probable that the dolphins can feel the vibrations of a malfunctioning organ through their probing with ultrasonic waves. Stress, fear and tension are lessened through contact with a dolphin.

One receives positive energy and is freed from negative emotions. In ten sessions the course of the complete therapy is individually specified, according to the grade of the mental or physical handicap. The results of the work between patient and dolphin, and because of this the altered clinical symptoms, are assessed through psycho/physical tests and an analysis of the heart rhythm.

The best results can be obtained in the treatment of handicapped children using a combination of Physiotherapy, methodical healing processes from experienced doctors and the dolphin therapy. This can be ideally combined in a holiday-seminar. Experienced doctors and therapists progress carefully with a made-to-measure programme for the patient without creating any strain or stress for the child.

The Dolphin Therapy enables children with mental or physical handicaps to find new ways to health. Through the therapeutic game with the dolphins the little patients suddenly do things that have never occurred in other therapy. They laugh for the first time, speak their first words or they have moved easily where before they were cramped.

Nathanson Method
One of the methods the Russian specialists use is the "Reward method". When the patient has mastered the task set by the therapist, the patient is rewarded with a swim with the dolphin. This is a variant of the therapy where the doctor plays on the vanity of the child. Autistic children, but also some children with other ailments, are strongly introverted and can register their environment only in part, or not at all, so a catalyst is required; this is where the dolphins play their part. The Russian doctors use a therapy based on close contact with the dolphin. The child, the doctor, the dolphin and the trainer all together in the water provides the ideal basis for close contact.

THERAPY TEAM
Our Doctors are recruited from several Russian Universities and State Institutions where research over many years has lead to successful applications and treatment in Dolphin Therapy. They are scientists who belong to the International Institute for Dolphin Therapy in the Krim/Ukraine, and also in Moscow where the biggest research center is located, specializing in Hydrobionics and the bio-acoustic therapy aspects of therapy using dolphins.

In our free-water dolphinarium and Rehabilitation center at Kaş, well-tried and successful forms of Therapy are carried out under the supervision of our doctors. The team comprises of several specialists. Our doctors specialize in the application of dolphin therapy treatment of children upwards from one year old to adults up to the age of fifty. The Therapies undertaken here are special treatments for different illnesses and handicaps that have been successfully developed and carried out with the help of bottle-nosed dolphins. To this end we have specially trained dolphin doctors working in our Therapy center in Kaş.

Russian scientists have been researching the effects of dolphins on human beings for over 30 years; this according to a definite scientific programme. Thousands of meetings and years of research, even before Perestroika, were undertaken. The results of the research were not only theoretical, but have been proved successfully in practice. The results of the research were not only descriptions of changes in the patients behavior, which in Psychiatry is often the case, but also specially devised measuring methods using medical and technical apparatus that step-by-step have produced fixed scientific values.

It is not only that swimming with dolphins is fun, although this in itself can bring about a great improvement for the patient; but the dolphins can bring about positive changes in the organism of the patient, organs are influenced in a positive way - which organs are being influenced?, which processes are beginning or being revitalized?, to which intensity are emotions being awakened through the sonar waves?, these are questions that constantly concern the doctors. Our doctors are first-rate specialists that are continuing research into Dolphin Therapy

WHAT HAPPENS DURING DOLPHIN THERAPY?
The children work at set times on a floating dock with their Therapist, trainer, father/mother, interpreter (if necessary) and a specially trained dolphin. Dolphins have, as they have also shown in other animal-assisted therapies, a definite feeling for weakness, and they come closer to the children to play. This way the children quickly lose their fear of the large animals and through the dolphin they can take up contact with their environment. The children can find new confidence, lose their fear, and initiate new contact to their environment supported through the work with these intelligent and sensible animals. Only in this way can they begin to develop, profiting from the impulses from their environment and everyday life. Quickly the children lose their fear and gain confidence. A child whose life has been marred by apathy and isolation can show reactions again that were once thought lost. The therapy should last at least ten days to achieve appropriate results.

The therapy is not just ”swimming with the dolphins”. The tasks given to the child by the therapist during a session, the commands given to the dolphin from the trainer, and the conscious or unconscious perception of the parent close-by encourages and motivates the child to solve these tasks. The motivation awakened by the dolphin provides the child with positive reactions which are praised and encouraged. The tasks presented to the child are increased in difficulty during the therapy sessions according to the child’s progression and ability. Furthermore the contact to the dolphin is progressively intensified from stroking and playing, to being pushed or pulled through the water by the dolphin.

During the therapy a programme is formed together by therapist and parents for later use at home. This programme must be diligently practiced at home. A further dolphin therapy promises best possible results of the treatment.

THERAPY STEPS
1st Step : The child is highly motivated during the first sessions of dolphin therapy which causes an escalation and activation of different modulations of the child’s brain. As a result more sensory information is received by the patient from all feeling organs, visual and auditory.
2nd step : After the bilateral contact between the child and dolphin is reached (generated) and the communicative resonance is established, the phase of common psychic and motor function (contact) begins between child and dolphin. The therapist asks the child to do together with dolphins a row of structured exercises. Active contact with the dolphin comes into being from the throwing of a ball and receiving the ball from the dolphin, throwing above a rope or ring. Also one uses different playing objects, like a ball, ring or rope.

Then different movements are practised in the water. The verbal and non-verbal contact with the dolphins exists constantly. Every element of a practice is shown to the child by the doctor who is also in the water. Before the application of a dolphin as a co-therapist in the rehabilitation process, the dolphin is coached by a specially compiled didactic programme. Allelomimetrical behavior (imitation) is unique to the dolphins.

The being together with the dolphins is productive only when it is controlled by the doctor; the therapist fulfill together with the child and dolphin an array of exercises which are intended for better development and provides the child with new skills to bring the psycho-motor ability or already available skills of the child to a higher level. The structure is flexible, i.e. that every child has his degree of illness/disability treated appropriately.

In the dolphin therapy center Kaş the best conditions are present to carry out therapeutic courses, as well as the synergetic effect, psycho-correction and therapeutic measures which enable the therapists to improve the positive dynamism of the psycho-physiological state of the child.

THE ROLE OF THE MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY
At the end of the dolphin therapy new information is given to the members of the family for further home applications. The psychological effect and the concurrent induction of positive emotions between child and the members of the family promote other remedial processes. It is often the case that a child suffers a feeling of separation during a stay in a therapy clinic and this makes positive results difficult to obtain. This is not the case at our therapy center. Not only is the closest member of the family present during therapy but also a further member. The dolphin is treated as a member of the family.

MORE INFO by Dolphin Therapy Center

These scripts and photographs are registered under Copyright 2007, Dolphin Therapy Center / Kaş - Antalya - Turkey. All Rights Reserved.