Make a Splash
Monday January 17, 2011
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(Photos courtesy of Water Planet)
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Last summer, Towanda Williams made a purchase she never expected: five bathing suits. The 44-year-old from Miami had always been afraid of swimming, and she didn’t see a compelling reason to get over it. Then she suffered a cervical spine injury in 2009 and lost the strength in both of her legs.
She began physical therapy at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami. Its dolphin-assisted therapy program inspired her to get her feet — and her hair — wet.
Cathy Herring, a certified recreational therapist at Jackson Memorial, revived the hospital’s dolphin program seven years ago. In the past, the hospital partnered with Theater of the Sea in Islamorada, Fla., to provide dolphin interactions for long-term inpatients. But as average hospital stays got shorter, the program waned. “We have always had a strong aquatics program, but now many people come in sicker and don’t leave as strong because of insurance issues. We really were all brainstorming about how to do something different, to give people something to work really hard for and look forward to. We decided to revamp the dolphin program for outpatients.”
A swim with the dolphins doesn’t come cheap, and it’s not covered by insurance. It costs about $1,200 to take seven patients for just one day (about $178 per person). And many who have the greatest need have the lowest incomes or have lost their jobs because of their injuries. Herring and her team fund the daylong trips by selling hot dogs in the cafeteria. Patients work all summer to earn a coveted spot on the annual day trip.
While the selling point is the dolphin swim, Herring says the daily life skills Jackson Memorial patients learn in the therapy pool, apply on the trip, and take home are just as important. “For many, it’s the first time they are out for a whole day. I have two PTs and an OT and we all work together to get them ready. We focus on using the skills that they need to succeed outside of the hospital, like changing a catheter in a public bathroom or changing clothes from their chairs,” Herring says.
The therapy team works with patients in the pool from May through November, focusing on adaptive swimming and, for some, walking in the water. “We teach them to remember the position and feeling of being in the water and take that picture with them.”
Williams has experienced the benefits of aquatic therapy firsthand. “When I get into the water my body is light and I can walk on my own. The work I do in the pool shows me if I can do it in the water, I can do it out of the water. I have to try harder [than someone without an injury], but I can concentrate and try, and with faith it comes,” says Williams.
Open Water
About 13 years ago, Pam Davidson, a PT near Atlanta who focuses on aquatic therapy, was vacationing in Florida with her husband when she saw a sign advertising swims with wild dolphins. “I have always been a fish myself, and I was really excited. We met up with Denis Richard of Water Planet in Panama City Beach and started talking. He had worked with dolphins and autistic children. The next thing we knew, we had established the Serenity Program and kids from all over the world were coming for weeklong dolphin-assisted therapy sessions.”
Twice a year, anywhere from five to nine kids and their families come to practice expressive art and music, and get bodywork and aquatic therapy. A group of three or more PTs, one or two OTs, families and interns, takes the children into the ocean four times for four-hour stints. Unlike programs such as Jackson Memorial’s, the participants are entering the animals’ environment. “It’s a totally a natural environment, we don’t feed or bother them. We just get close and let them decide what happens next,” says Davidson. “Sometimes they just swim by and sometimes they stop and play. I see them picking out the special kids and spending more time with them.”
The kids are outfitted with floatation devices as well as ankle weights to help them stay upright. “They are more stable and the dolphins are attracted to the weights. They will touch the kids’ legs or come right into their face,” she says.
During the day, the kids are learning skills such as changing their clothes and getting in and out of the water. Each therapy session is tailored for the individual patient, keeping his or her goals in mind. For example, one child hated things touching his head. By the end of the week, he could change his own T-shirt.
Animal Magnetism
Williams credits the dolphins for encouraging her to push her limits. “With an animal, you don’t have a choice; with a therapist, you can say no.”
Herring agrees that there’s something about animals that touches people in ways humans can’t. “They kind of forget to be afraid because they have worked so hard to get there. Once they are in the water, it’s amazing.”
One paralyzed patient was comfortable only when sitting on a chair in the water. The team worked with him and on the big day he got in, grabbed onto a dolphin’s dorsal fin, started out face down, then was able to turn himself over onto his back and complete the tow around the pool. Herring says the dolphins are very intuitive and can tell the difference between a quadriplegic and paraplegic patient, instinctively going faster with the paraplegics.
When it was Williams’ turn to get into the pool, she was nervous and excited. “I gave the dolphin a hug, I grabbed his fin and he took me around the pool. I held him like he was in a cradle in my arms. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience — but I want to do it again!”
The day can also be life changing for caregivers. “We invite families to come and see how independent the patient can be. We focus on showing caregivers how people do things on their own. By the end of the day, the patient is exhausted but happy. They see they can do things they used to do before the injury and it makes a huge impact,” says Herring.
While dolphins have been used in therapeutic scenarios since the 1950s, there haven’t been conclusive studies about the benefits and there are conflicting opinions about the safety of both the animals and the patients. But those involved have no doubt that working with dolphins changes patients’ lives for the better.
Davidson sees her patients apply the lessons they learn in the Serenity Program when they get home. “Most kids really improve their ability to interact socially with their families and with strangers. And, as a PT, I see more holistic changes in the kids: tone reduction, better orientation to their position in space, vision improvements and anxiety reduction.”
And Herring couldn’t be more excited about the progress her patients make. Many, like Williams, surprise her. “She was deathly afraid of water and eventually I got her underwater with a snorkel mask. I was shocked when she kept showing up in new bathing suits. She used to swim in shorts and a T-shirt because she didn’t own one. She’s really amazing.”
“I loved everything about this experience,” Williams says. “I’ve a come a long, long way and I didn’t realize it. At first I didn’t want to get my face and hair wet and now it’s like, ‘Let’s go!’ Working toward a goal and achieving it reminded me that I can still accomplish things.” •
Libby Lowe is a freelance writer.
She began physical therapy at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami. Its dolphin-assisted therapy program inspired her to get her feet — and her hair — wet.
Cathy Herring, a certified recreational therapist at Jackson Memorial, revived the hospital’s dolphin program seven years ago. In the past, the hospital partnered with Theater of the Sea in Islamorada, Fla., to provide dolphin interactions for long-term inpatients. But as average hospital stays got shorter, the program waned. “We have always had a strong aquatics program, but now many people come in sicker and don’t leave as strong because of insurance issues. We really were all brainstorming about how to do something different, to give people something to work really hard for and look forward to. We decided to revamp the dolphin program for outpatients.”
A swim with the dolphins doesn’t come cheap, and it’s not covered by insurance. It costs about $1,200 to take seven patients for just one day (about $178 per person). And many who have the greatest need have the lowest incomes or have lost their jobs because of their injuries. Herring and her team fund the daylong trips by selling hot dogs in the cafeteria. Patients work all summer to earn a coveted spot on the annual day trip.
While the selling point is the dolphin swim, Herring says the daily life skills Jackson Memorial patients learn in the therapy pool, apply on the trip, and take home are just as important. “For many, it’s the first time they are out for a whole day. I have two PTs and an OT and we all work together to get them ready. We focus on using the skills that they need to succeed outside of the hospital, like changing a catheter in a public bathroom or changing clothes from their chairs,” Herring says.
The therapy team works with patients in the pool from May through November, focusing on adaptive swimming and, for some, walking in the water. “We teach them to remember the position and feeling of being in the water and take that picture with them.”
Williams has experienced the benefits of aquatic therapy firsthand. “When I get into the water my body is light and I can walk on my own. The work I do in the pool shows me if I can do it in the water, I can do it out of the water. I have to try harder [than someone without an injury], but I can concentrate and try, and with faith it comes,” says Williams.
Open Water
About 13 years ago, Pam Davidson, a PT near Atlanta who focuses on aquatic therapy, was vacationing in Florida with her husband when she saw a sign advertising swims with wild dolphins. “I have always been a fish myself, and I was really excited. We met up with Denis Richard of Water Planet in Panama City Beach and started talking. He had worked with dolphins and autistic children. The next thing we knew, we had established the Serenity Program and kids from all over the world were coming for weeklong dolphin-assisted therapy sessions.”
Twice a year, anywhere from five to nine kids and their families come to practice expressive art and music, and get bodywork and aquatic therapy. A group of three or more PTs, one or two OTs, families and interns, takes the children into the ocean four times for four-hour stints. Unlike programs such as Jackson Memorial’s, the participants are entering the animals’ environment. “It’s a totally a natural environment, we don’t feed or bother them. We just get close and let them decide what happens next,” says Davidson. “Sometimes they just swim by and sometimes they stop and play. I see them picking out the special kids and spending more time with them.”
The kids are outfitted with floatation devices as well as ankle weights to help them stay upright. “They are more stable and the dolphins are attracted to the weights. They will touch the kids’ legs or come right into their face,” she says.
During the day, the kids are learning skills such as changing their clothes and getting in and out of the water. Each therapy session is tailored for the individual patient, keeping his or her goals in mind. For example, one child hated things touching his head. By the end of the week, he could change his own T-shirt.
Animal Magnetism
Williams credits the dolphins for encouraging her to push her limits. “With an animal, you don’t have a choice; with a therapist, you can say no.”
Herring agrees that there’s something about animals that touches people in ways humans can’t. “They kind of forget to be afraid because they have worked so hard to get there. Once they are in the water, it’s amazing.”
One paralyzed patient was comfortable only when sitting on a chair in the water. The team worked with him and on the big day he got in, grabbed onto a dolphin’s dorsal fin, started out face down, then was able to turn himself over onto his back and complete the tow around the pool. Herring says the dolphins are very intuitive and can tell the difference between a quadriplegic and paraplegic patient, instinctively going faster with the paraplegics.
When it was Williams’ turn to get into the pool, she was nervous and excited. “I gave the dolphin a hug, I grabbed his fin and he took me around the pool. I held him like he was in a cradle in my arms. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience — but I want to do it again!”
The day can also be life changing for caregivers. “We invite families to come and see how independent the patient can be. We focus on showing caregivers how people do things on their own. By the end of the day, the patient is exhausted but happy. They see they can do things they used to do before the injury and it makes a huge impact,” says Herring.
While dolphins have been used in therapeutic scenarios since the 1950s, there haven’t been conclusive studies about the benefits and there are conflicting opinions about the safety of both the animals and the patients. But those involved have no doubt that working with dolphins changes patients’ lives for the better.
Davidson sees her patients apply the lessons they learn in the Serenity Program when they get home. “Most kids really improve their ability to interact socially with their families and with strangers. And, as a PT, I see more holistic changes in the kids: tone reduction, better orientation to their position in space, vision improvements and anxiety reduction.”
And Herring couldn’t be more excited about the progress her patients make. Many, like Williams, surprise her. “She was deathly afraid of water and eventually I got her underwater with a snorkel mask. I was shocked when she kept showing up in new bathing suits. She used to swim in shorts and a T-shirt because she didn’t own one. She’s really amazing.”
“I loved everything about this experience,” Williams says. “I’ve a come a long, long way and I didn’t realize it. At first I didn’t want to get my face and hair wet and now it’s like, ‘Let’s go!’ Working toward a goal and achieving it reminded me that I can still accomplish things.” •
Libby Lowe is a freelance writer.
To comment, e-mail pteditor@gannetthg.com.
Monday January 17, 2011