What does the word “dolphin” conjure in your mind? For some, it is simply the thought of an interesting mammal, similar to a whale. For others, it elicits the image of something mystical combining “intelligence” and “magic,” elevating the dolphin to superstar status and new-age reverence.

   Many people have made an enterprise out of tapping into the dolphin mystique. Some believe that dolphins can cure physical or mental maladies. In fact, there are scores of authors, “spiritual leaders” and others who profess that ailments can be cured in the presence of dolphins or by the sounds dolphins make in person or on recordings.

   We are attracted to dolphins for a variety of reasons. These aquatic mammals have a sleek appearance and a surprisingly sensitive and soft “skin.” Dolphins also are known for using an elaborate set of clicks and sounds to pierce the water, seemingly communicating in their social group. These sounds may form rudimentary communication or may simply be a form of sonar, bouncing sounds off other objects to determine distance.

   Dolphins have demonstrated to animal behaviorists that they have a great sense of play with one another and a curiosity about the world around them. At times, they seem almost human. For many people, the so-called curative properties of dolphins have provided solutions to life's difficulties, so our fascination continues.

   Deena Hoagland in Key Largo, Florida, swears that dolphins saved her son's life. But she does not think that dolphins possess magical qualities. As the director of Island Dolphin Care, a nonprofit therapy facility in Key Largo, Hoagland brings special-needs children into contact with dolphins.

   She originally discovered dolphins at Dolphins Plus, the parent facility to Island Dolphin Care. She was looking for a diversion for her family which was depressed and frustrated from seeking treatment for her young son Joe who had been weakened and paralyzed by a stroke. Dolphins Plus offered recreational dolphin swims, and the swimming encounter uplifted Hoagland's entire family. She was pleased to notice that Joe was responding to the dolphins in ways he had not been responding before.

   Soon Hoagland, a licensed clinical social worker with a bachelor degree in psychology and elementary education, began investigating the dolphin-human interaction and eventually developed Island Dolphin Care, now a thriving dolphin-therapy center.

Dolphin Squirt gives a handshake to Ethan with the assistance of therapist and Executive Director of Island Dolphin Care Deena Hoagland.

   “People believe there is some magical cure that occurs during dolphin visits; I receive desperate letters and calls from overwhelmed people wanting the dolphins to 'zap' their child or loved one, to cure the malady which has befallen the family. The truth of dolphin interaction is that there is no such 'zapping,' especially from the echolocation (sounds) or kisses of dolphins,” Hoagland says. “The truth of dolphin 'cures' lies in the plain fact that we humans are so very unfamiliar with dolphin interactions. We understand dogs, we understand cats; those animals are predictable and in general, we know what they will do. However, when we encounter dolphins, we have no social norm with which to react to them. We have no predetermined patterns of interactions upon which to rely as we do when we interact with our pets, so we have to respond to dolphins from a fresh point of view.

    “With that fresh viewpoint, we start living our interactions with the dolphins with spontaneity. When we cannot fall back on our preconceived notions of an activity, we get excited about the new experience. Our endorphins – our feel-good hormones – run wild in our bodies and we feel wonderful. When we feel good inside, our bodies no longer experience stress – mental or physical. When we release our stress, our bodies begin to heal. So in essence, it's not the dolphins healing us – we heal ourselves with the dolphins' 'help.'”

   Having no preconceived thoughts or expectations is the essence of many spiritual philosophies, especially Buddhism. When we tackle problems as they are, with a rested mind, we find simple and efficient solutions. “When I first started interacting with dolphins, I felt like I was meditating,” Hoagland says. “All my cares were washed away as I watched these creatures play in the water. Their natural curiosity made them want to play with me, and their sense of play felt infectious – like when children are playing. The best part about natural joy is that it gives us rest from the stressors in our lives. While running away from issues does not solve them, it is not healthy to allow ourselves to constantly be overwhelmed by problems. Our minds cannot create solutions if they are always weighed down by problems. Encountering a fresh experience such as playing with dolphins gave me the mental rest I needed to later find good solutions for my family.”

   And what about dolphin “therapy?” If there is no magic in the dolphin itself, how can dolphins affect cures? The simplicity may lie in the dolphin-interacted play itself: children and others under stress are much more inclined to use muscles if the 'therapy' seems like play. Would a child rather reach for an object in a sterile hospital treatment center or reach for a ball in warm water with a playful dolphin? This human-dolphin “play” method has been an excellent way to move rarely-used muscles or encounter a joyful environment in which to start the healing process.

   Hoagland's son Joe is now in college studying marine mechanics. He is a healthy young man with full use of his body. He fully credits his rehabilitation to the physical-therapy sessions he had with his dolphin “friends.” He credits his family's emotional rehabilitation to the stress-removing joy of spontaneous play with dolphins. “My experience with dolphins,” Joe explains, “was a soul-healing experience.”

   No 'zapping' required.

Island Dolphin Care, Inc., in Key Largo, Fla, was developed to help families with children who are dealing with developmental and/or physical disabilities, emotional challenges and critical, chronic or terminal illness. More information can be found online at www.islanddolphincare.org or by calling (305) 451-5884.

Lauren Muney is a fitness and wellness coach specializing in lifestyle issues of exercise, nutrition, stress management and time management. Her website offers awareness-based articles and programs: www.physicalmind.com.

Photos courtesy of Island Dolphin Care.