Dolphin-assisted therapy (DAT) involves swimming in a tank with dolphins in order to treat some mental or physical disorder. The causal mechanisms
purportedly involved are unclear at best (and usually far worse), but DAT
remains popular especially with a certain type of parents who believe it can have a significant positive impact on the “cognitive,
physical, or social-emotional behaviors” of disabled children. Needless to say,
the price is substantial. Also needless to say, the therapy carries substantial
risks – caged dolphins tend to be aggressive, and there is a substantial risk
of infections.
Despite the lack of evidence for any beneficial effects, several
hypotheses have been proposed to explain how
DAT has such positive effects. Psychic Artist and Vibrational Energy Facilitator Rosemary Angelis has one. Angelis claims that she can channel
dolphin energy and that if one places a palm over a picture of a dolphin that
she's drawn one can “receive the sensation of their loving healing energies.” Well,
it’s not really an explanation but
probably as close as dolphin therapists get.
Angelis’s day job is to be the Principal of the Wishing Well
Harmony Haven, which offers vibrational and holistic healing. “Packages are available to Day Care Centres/Support Groups for various
conditions: Autism, Epilepsy, Cancer, ME & MS, Abortion, Miscarriage and
Gynaecological issues, AIDS.” Needless to say, they don’t offer much that
actually helps anyone, but people in desperate situations are often willing to
cling to straws, and are as such easy targets for Angelis’s efforts to “help”.
Diagnosis: We have no doubt that Angelis means well and
sincerely believes that she might help. But a good heart and poor reasoning
skills may very well lead to situations that are more than a little morally
problematic.
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