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Frequently asked questions about
Dolphin Assisted Therapy (DAT)
at Melka Resort / Lovina - Bali

What results can I expect from the Dolphin Assisted Therapy?
DAT is not a miracle cure, so it will not be able to change a medical diagnose. There is no therapy center in the world that can promise a certain outcome, for every child reacts differently to the treatment. It has been observed, though, that DAT can trigger positive behavioral changes like a decrease of aggressions, anxiety and hyperactivity, as well as an increase of developmental skills like attention span or language. Since the DAT program usually is applied during just one week – unlike other therapies, who last for month and years – the actual results are very often seen weeks after the client returned home. The brain needs time to undergo the changes that have been started, and rapid developmental progress has been reported up to 6 month after the dolphin therapy.

Is there the possibility, that the dolphin therapy doesn´t improve the client´s condition at all?
Yes. Every client is different, so there is – like for every other form of therapy – no way of telling if somebody will respond to the treatment.

Is there something the parents can do in order to increase the benefit of the dolphin therapy?
Since the dolphin therapy is comparable to a key opening up the client´s brain for learning, all input will be of great benefit. Every kind of stimulation will now have an increased impact on the client´s development – therefore, the time span during and right after the therapy is of incredible value, if spent with playing games together, teaching lessons, exercises and therapy treatment. It´s very important not to waste this restricted time window by letting the client watch TV or play computer games, for these activities numb the brain rather than stimulating it.

What therapy duration and frequency is recommended?
Every client has to get used to the new surroundings and the dolphins, before he or she starts to relax and benefit from the therapy. It usually takes 2 to 3 days until a state is reached, that the dolphins can work with. Of course you are welcome to try DAT for one or two days, which can be useful in order to find out, if this kind of therapy is suitable for the client at all. But real changes can only be accomplished during a longer time span.
Therefore, our recommendation is to come at least one week.
Parents who are satisfied with the results of their therapy week usually come back within 6 month or a year to refresh the benefits.  For DAT works like a speed start for the client´s development, a regular dolphin therapy treatment keeps the process going.

If the client is not relaxed, can he or she still benefit from the dolphin swims?
Yes, to a certain degree. There is no need for a client to maintain a 100% calm state.
If a client is very  active though (preoccupied with play, aggressions or fear), then the entire brain is too active as well – in this state, it´s not possible for the sonar to have a remarkable influence on the brainwaves. Therefore it is important not to force the client into the pool, but to let him get used to the dolphins and choose his own pace. Work is only possible, if the client is comfortable with the situation.

Is there still a therapeutically effect, if the client doesn´t touch the dolphins?
Yes, the dolphins´ sonar is omnipresent in the pool and influences the client´s brainwaves, no matter where the position of the dolphin is. Interaction with the dolphin brings an additional emotional aspect with it, but doesn´t have the main therapeutically impact on the client.
Our main goal is therefore not the dolphin interaction, but to relax the client in the pool, so he or she can benefit from the ultrasound.

What is the minimum age of a child to join the dolphin therapy in the pool?
Because of safety precaution children under age of 2 years are not allowed to enter the dolphin pools. Therapy treatments for children under this age will be held on the edge of the dolphin pool with visual and touching contact to the dolphins under supervision of a therapist.