Approximately four months ago, the Dolphinarium at Cayo Guillermo, in Ciego de Ávila, celebrated the birth of a new dolphin. Initially, the trainers hoped it would be a female so they could name her Karina, in honor of a little girl who has been visiting the facility regularly for the past four years. However, since it was a male, the name was adapted, and now Karin shares the waters of one of the pools with his mother.

This young visitor, Karina, is an active participant in the innovative dolphin-assisted medical therapies offered by the center — a pioneer in this approach — designed for patients from childhood to adulthood (ages 4 to 50) who face conditions such as neurodevelopmental disorders, ADHD, or difficulties in social interaction.

"Currently, we are developing this national initiative in collaboration with Servicios Médicos Cubanos. Our specific contribution within this program consists of dolphin-assisted interventions aimed at children and adults with special needs.

“We have witnessed remarkable cases among our participants — children who, after completing the treatment, have shown progress that even surprised their own families,” explained Annyx Sánchez Montes, director of the Cayo Guillermo Dolphinarium, to Cubadebate.

Our dolphins, she added, are properly trained through a rigorous process to precisely perform this therapeutic modality. “Its effectiveness lies particularly in the use of biological sonar, a mechanism by which they transmit beneficial neural impulses to patients with various conditions.”

Karin’s story, Sánchez Montes said, is a heartfelt tribute to one of our most regular young patients. “This girl, always accompanied by her mother, has undergone a significant transformation since she began her sessions over four years ago. Karina, who initially had severe communication difficulties, has made extraordinary progress that fills her family with hope.”

What is Dolphin Therapy?

These therapeutic interventions always require specialized supervision and are meant to complement — not replace — conventional pharmacological approaches. Their main objective is to promote the well-being of participants by harnessing both the therapeutic properties of the aquatic environment and the synergistic interaction with dolphins.

The selection of these marine mammals as co-therapists is based on scientific evidence.

Their inquisitive nature and echolocation system — through which they emit sound waves to communicate and navigate — enable them to detect objects and orient themselves in their environment.

Research has shown that these acoustic emissions can produce beneficial effects on the human body, similar to those generated by medical ultrasounds. These waves can stimulate key physiological functions such as metabolic activity and blood flow, contributing to clinical improvement.

How Does It Work?

“At our center, we have developed an innovative methodology that uses the dolphins’ sound emissions in strategic areas of the body, particularly the spinal column and other affected zones according to medical recommendations. This pioneering approach has shown progressive improvements in numerous pediatric cases,” explained Yandy Hernández Vázquez, one of the trainers at the dolphinarium.

The treatment is designed in coordination with the medical team, establishing specific therapeutic goals for each patient to improve their quality of life.

“The process is gradual: we first introduce the dolphins to the child — often their first contact with these animals — allowing them to observe and touch them from the platform while we evaluate their reactions.”

Through supervised sessions, participants gradually enter the water, always accompanied by a specialist. “Our trainers facilitate the interaction, guiding both the dolphin and the child to build a mutual trust bond. Activities start with simple exercises — like gentle touches or affectionate gestures — to help the child become familiar with the dolphin’s skin texture and perceive its echolocation from a distance.”

Later, sonic emissions are applied to specific brain areas. The experience is so relaxing that even people without medical conditions benefit from it.

“The greatest achievement is when the patient can interact independently in the aquatic environment,” Hernández Vázquez added.

These are sound waves between 8 and 13 megahertz that produce a relaxing effect on the brain. Once received from the dolphin, the brain can reproduce them naturally. These waves stimulate the hypothalamus, trigger endorphin release, and activate the pituitary gland — leading to relaxation, blood pressure regulation, lower blood sugar levels, and reduced stress or anxiety.

Dolphin therapy also helps enhance learning, memory, concentration, and environmental awareness. It improves vital energy and eliminates stress and anxiety. It has positive effects on motor and cognitive functions, making it ideal for individuals with motor or psychocognitive disorders.

Behind each therapeutic session lies a unique bond, patience, and dedication from the trainers. They not only technically guide the interactions but also cultivate an emotional relationship between the dolphins and their young patients. They deeply understand both the children’s needs and the particularities of each dolphin, adapting each gesture, exercise, and sonic emission to the child’s individual responses.

This emotional connection — this shared language of trust and encouragement — transforms scientific protocol into a healing experience. Trainers don’t just teach dolphins; they learn from them, interpret their signals, and above all, translate that learning into a sense of safety for the patients.

Each milestone — that first contact, a spontaneous laugh, or a communication gesture — is the result of a triangle where love for these animals and the vocation to help merge into one purpose: to bring backlight and smiles to those who need them most.

By Thalía Fuentes Puebla, Yovanis Rodríguez Díaz, Abel Padrón PadillaTomado de Cubadebate