Dolphin Assisted Therapy

Dolphin Assisted Therapy (DAT) is a supportive alternative therapy mostly effective for children 3 - 16 years old. Scientific studies have shown that DAT is beneficial for children with following disorders:


- Pervasive Development Disorders (PDD): Autism, PDD-NOS, Asperger Syndrome
- Down Syndrome
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (a disorder developed in children which were subjected to various psychological traumas, such as loss of the care-givers, sexual abuse, violence, and the like)
- Speaking difficulties
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Attention Deficiency & Hyperactivity Disorder
- Cerebral Palsy / Spasticity
- Involuntary movements and spasms

There are few contradictions (in terms of safety and health issues) for participating in DAT. These contradictions are as follows:


- The presence or history of epilepsy
- Contagious diseases
- The presence of any health problems which could be negatively effected by swimming in the water of 24-26 C temperature.

At Istanbul Dolphinarium DAT is run under supervision of professional dolphin trainer, DAT therapist / psychological counselor. The therapy course is designed individually for each child. In order to achieve optimum effects and to fix them, the specialists recommend a 10-session course to start with. However, the number of sessions may be increased or decreased in accordance with child’s response to the therapy.