Who doesn’t love dolphins!? All over the world, this intelligent and charismatic animal has inspired marine curiosity, delighted onlookers with its acrobatics, and rallied support for conservation. Although I never had dolphin training career aspirations, every dolphin interaction I have had is memorable and I can’t help but grin like a fool when I see them. This week I met six dolphins in Key Largo who are changing children’s lives!
I arrived at Island Dolphin Care and met Joe Hoagland for a tour of the facility. IDC runs dolphin therapy programs for children with a wide range of disabilities from developmental disorders, behavior modification, critical and terminal illness and rare disorders. These 5-day family oriented programs are designed to assist individuals with special needs achieve highly personalized results both in the water and in the classroom.
Joe was the inspiration in founding Island Dolphin Care and graciously shared his story. Joe was born with a rare, life threatening heart defect and at age three, during his third (of five) open heart surgeries, suffered a stroke which left him partially paralyzed on his left side. His family relocated to Key Largo from Colorado because the high altitude was dangerous for his health. In a new town with a new life, the family was struggling to find activities they could all participate in, learning how Joe could play and find a place where he could just ‘be a kid’. The stroke had robbed Joe of his independence and his favorite activity, swimming. His mother, Deena, turned to Dolphin’s Plus, an educational dolphin facility in the area. Invited by the owner to swing by someday, Deena arrived within the hour. When a dolphin named Fonzie popped his head up, Joe smiled and laughed. Deena broke down; it as the first time she had heard him laugh in three years!
Fonzie and Joe’s friendship grew with each visit. Deena, whose background is in social work, psychology and education, recognized the playful interactions as a motivator to strengthen Joe emotionally and physically. Goals began with small tasks like turning his head to see Fonzie swim by. Joe laughed recalling his Mom taught him Fonzie was a left-handed dolphin. He worked for months to build the muscle strength to hold small objects, extend his hand, and eventually feed Fonzie using his left arm. Time with this special friend became a motivational tool for the tough days in painful physical therapy. Joe’s progress was stunning! Two years after his first dolphin encounter, he slipped himself into the water and independently swam with his dolphin friend. Now, 24 years old, Joe has essentially no remaining symptoms of the stroke. I would have never known about the episode without him sharing this story. Island Dolphin Care was founded on the principle that if dolphins could motivate and encourage Joe, they might be able to do the same for other children and families. The organization is based entirely around family and exudes calm kindness. Founders Deena and Mike Hoaglund remain the Executive Director and General Manager and Joe works in the main office.
Every week, eight families from across the world come to IDC for five-day therapy sessions. Individuals with special needs or illnesses work or play one-on-one with a trained therapist in the water with dolphins and in the classroom Monday-Thursday. Friday is a special natural swim when children and their families get to interact freely with the dolphins in celebration of the week’s progress. The IDC team (therapists with a background in special education) reviews each application thoroughly to recommend a program based on safety as well as the ability, medical condition participant’s individual needs and strengths. During my visit I was able to watch a therapy session water-side and was deeply moved seeing a young lady laugh, smile and interact with her dolphin friend. Lotus the dolphin was helping her work on dexterity skills by bringing large balls and rubber ducks between the therapist and trainer.
The facility sits alongside Dolphin’s Plus, which caters swim-with dolphin programs for visitors to the Keys. Together the two organizations have thirteen Atlantic bottlenose dolphins. IDC owns six dolphins (Squirt, Sarah, Bella, Fiji, Grace and Lotus). At 11-12 feet long and ~700 pounds these animals are impressive athletes! During swim programs they showcase their skills and I was stunned watching the precision in the trainer/dolphin interaction. Out of respect for the therapy groups, I was asked to not take photos of the kids, so here are some from the public Dolphin’s Plus swim.
Progress made at Island Dolphin Care is a very individual process. There are some children that will not progress or change – and others that will make outstanding progress. Dolphins do not provide medical miracles. But the combination of exceptional staff, emerging technology and innovative teaching tools in a motivating and fun filled environment has been the catalyst for great change to occur. These dolphins are well-loved and cared for at the highest standard. All their food is restaurant-grade, sustainable seafood. One dolphin was even receiving eyedrops for irritation relief! Dolphins are mammals just like humans so they breath air, have hair (on their rostrum) and give birth to live young. One IDC therapy dolphin, Squirt, is soon to be a Mommy for the third time! Check out how big she is!!
IDC is place where passion for marine life and passion for people come together. In this safe environment children are given the independence and confidence to laugh, smile, and feel proud in every aspect of their life! Although this was not a diving experience, I was humbled by the chance to visit and learn from them. Thank you Deena, Mike and Joe Hoagland for sharing your personal story with me and for taking the time to answer all of my questions, no matter how basic.
If you have a passion for helping kids, supporting families, and understanding innovative therapy, learn more about Island Dolphin Care internships here.
If you know a child who could benefit from working with this incredible staff, check out the therapy program application.
