Dolphin Assisted Therapy

Transcription

1 Arumsari 1 Name : Novita Arumsari NIM : Class : International Biology Education 2014 Dolphin Assisted Therapy Aquatic therapy has long understood that being in the water has a therapeutic effect on people with varying types of disabilities (McKinney, A; Wolf, R.; 2001). Being in the water allows people that are in wheelchairs, freedom in movement otherwise not experienced. To this benefit include dolphins. Dolphins have been cited as having special capabilities that enhance healing potential in people with disabilities (Johnson, L.; Bourne, R.). Dolphin therapy refers to a type of treatment for people with and without disabilities that uses dolphin interaction as well as direct sonar application as a means to rectify or lessen the disability. Dolphin assisted therapy dates back to the 1950s and the work of Dr. John Lilly, who studied the effects of dolphins on individuals with disabilities (McKinney, A; Wolf, R.; 2001). In the late 1980's, Dr. Stephen Joszef, co-founder of Living from the Heart also carried out a neurological research study that shed valuable light on the mechanism of action for this most delightful and effective therapy. David Cole and Dr. Jozsef found through their biofeedback research that various interesting things happen in our brain after direct exposure to dolphin sonar. First thing that happens is that our brain wave pattern drops from an active state (beta brain waves) down to a meditative brain wave pattern (alpha and sometimes even theta brain waves).

2 Arumsari 2 There is a wide variety of reports on people who benefit from this therapy. People with non-verbal or communicative disorders have found positive results in working with dolphins. Children with special needs including autism, asd s, pdd s, cerebral palsy, etc., are a unique focus to many programs. There has also has been recent research for people experiencing depression or anxiety. This spans young and old, and a variety of illnesses, sicknesses, or diagnoses. Why dolphins? Dolphins measure 8 to 10 feet in length; weigh an average of 400 pounds, swim up to 35 miles per hour. Dolphins are gentle in demeanor, graceful in the water, and appear friendly and communicative (McKinney, A; Wolf, R.; 2001) and have the capability to heal through presence and interactions. The exploration of stress reduction, by specialists in alternative treatment, has lead the way to current dolphin-human interaction research. Researchers have found that dolphin therapy aids in reducing stress and increasing relaxation, alleviating depression, boosting production of infection fighting t-cells, stimulating production of endorphins and hormones, enhancing recovery, and reducing pain. Laurance Johnston, Ph.D. and Russell Bourne, Ph.D.have put together the following summary that covers both scientific and intuitive speculations that have been put forth: Sound and vibration. Scientists believe that the dolphin s ultrasound emissions have considerable healing potential from an energy and informational perspective. Clinically, ultrasound has been used to promote healing, for diagnostic imaging, and to destroy cataracts and kidney and gallstones. Throughout history, sound - such as music, drumming and chanting - has been used to promote health. Physiologically, we now know that these sounds can influence heart rate, breathing, muscle contractions, memory, and immune function. In terms of energy, the dolphin s ultrasound blast is four times stronger than therapeutically used in hospitals.

3 Arumsari 3 Furthermore, this blast is delivered through water, which is 60 times more efficient than air for sound transference, to a body that is three-quarters fluid. It is believed that ultrasound resonance within the cerebrospinal fluid is especially important due to the fluid s key influence on the brain and spinal cord. Brain waves. Dr. David Cole of the Aquathought has shown that human brain waves shift from high-frequency beta to low-frequency alpha/theta waves after a dolphin encounter. Beta waves are associated with increased concentration, alertness, and enhanced memory function. In contrast, theta waves are associated with enhanced creativity, sensory integration, and altered states of consciousness. For the sake of reference, people exhibit theta waves in the fleeting moments when they drift from consciousness into sleep. Scientists believe that a brainwave shift of this nature strengthens the human immune system. Furthermore, after a dolphin encounter, research has shown a synchronization of brain-wave activity between the logical, analytical left brain and the intuitive, imaginative right brain. These brain-wave alterations may explain why people view swimming with the dolphins as a transcendental experience. Dr. Cole saidthat these brain-wave alterations are facilitated by sonar-induced cavitation. Basically, the dolphin s intense sound waves create alternating regions of compression and expansion that form small bubbles in the cell membrane. In turn, these bubbles facilitate the transport of key neurological molecules from outside to inside neurons. Human energy fields. The dolphins therapeutic energy is mediated through human energy fields. According to human energy field theory (see Infinite Mind, Dr.. Valerie Hunt, Malibu Publishing Co, 1996), disease has its origins in the energy field at an atomic level, which then progressively manifests in the molecular, cellular and body-system levels. Conversely, if the energy field is fixed, healing will progress to the physical body. The human energy field

4 Arumsari 4 responds to stimulus, such as sound, even when the person experiences no conscious awareness of the stimulus and before changes are noted in physiological parameters such as brain waves, blood pressure, etc. Because it is theorized that the effects of spinal cord injury are stored in these energy fields, mending the human energy field first will promote the body s healing. Intuitive perspective. Elan O Brien, who became a spiritual healer after a transformational experience with the dolphins, says these animals energy represents an alignment with a greater consciousness. According to O Brien, the human nervous system programming usually prevents us from realizing that alignment and expressing the natural order. Dolphins, through their sonar and mudra-like movements, can shift our programming patterns by changing the body s electromagnetic fields. As a result, the body s limited belief structures are opened and changed. Dolphins can sense human-energy-field imbalances and adjust their ultrasonic emanations. Dolphins & Energy Fields. The dolphin s powerful energy may initiate an appropriate alteration in the human electromagnetic field, which, in turn, will facilitate healing. Work Cited Humane Society of the United States Swim with the dolphins programs. Washington, DC: Author. Johnson, L.; Bourne, R Project Inreach: A program to explore the ability of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins to elicit communication responses from autistic children. In A. H. Katcher & A. M. Beck (Eds.), New perspectives on our lives with companion animals (pp ). Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press.

5 Arumsari 5 Marino, L., & Lilienfeld, S. O Dolphin assisted therapy: Flawed data, flawed conclusions. Anthrozoös, 11, McKinney, A., Dustin, D., & Wolff, R The promise of dolphin-assisted therapy. Parks and Recreation, 36(5), Slade, C., & Simmons-Grab, D. C Therapeutic swimming as a community based program. Cognitive Rehabilitation, 5(2),