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THE
JF2
DOLPHIN PROJECT IS OPEN!
Table of Contents:
What is the JF2 Dolphin Project?
The objective of the JF2 Dolphin Project is to achieve greater results than traditional therapy in specific behaviors related to: attention span, communication, speech, language, gross or fine motor skills, academics, etc. The program motivates and "jump starts" a child, complements and reinforces therapy, and provides a stimulating reward. The achievements a child makes with dolphin therapy also assists other professionals, that may be working with the child.
Many, many families are return
clients - some on their fifth return to therapy - who integrated this unique
"jump start" therapy with their child's ongoing educational/therapy
The JF2 DOLPHIN PROJECT supports the current ongoing educational program for each individual child. It is not designed to replace existing therapies, but to complement, reinforce and support those goals already in place for each child.
The JF2 DOLPHIN PROJECT has served families from England, Germany, Wales, South Africa, United States of America, Scotland, Australia, Mexico, Ireland, Brazil, Canada, Italy and Poland. The JF2 Dolphin Project is housed at Florida's Gulfarium which is located in one of the world's greatest family friendly location - Florida's world famous Emerald Coast (Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Florida).
Ten years of documented studies have shown human-dolphin therapy is a cost efficient program that achieves long term retention of learned skills by qualified students. Some of the research topics and their results are as follows:
Result: Child-dolphin interaction and instruction achieves significantly greater long term retention. It is also more cost effective than conventional therapy. (Flowers) (Nathanson)
Topic Studied: Do children with disabilities exhibit changes in time on task during dolphin assisted therapy sessions as they complete an increasing number of dolphin assisted therapy sessions? Result: Data across 2 weeks of therapy for children in the study revealed significantly increased time on task. Children's time on task increase ranged from 25% to 250%. (Flowers, 2003)
Topic Studied: Do
children's expressive language skills Result: Specifically, in the children studied, data taken on expressive language skills revealed significant increases in mean length of utterance as well as in the complexity of expressive skills demonstrated across 10 sessions (Flowers, 2003)
Topic Studied: What are the observations of parents and teachers of their child/student's academic achievement during dolphin assisted therapy sessions? Result: Parents and classroom teachers of participating children considered time on task, motivation and communication skills to be the key areas of growth during their child/student's dolphin assisted therapy experience. (Flowers, 2003)
Topic Studied: Can the same increase in functioning be established and achieved by using water without dolphins as primary reinforcement? Result: Children did well in water using their favorite toy for reinforcement, but achieved significantly better retention and complexity of learning tasks with dolphins as reinforcement. (Nathanson)
Topic
Studied: Does in-water human-dolphin therapy increase Result: Nathanson found that children learned 2 to 10 times faster and with greater retention when working with dolphins in water. Flowers found significant increases in time on task in her study across participants. Dr. Janet also explains that attention span and time on task are related, but should be carefully explained by the researcher during presentation of methods. The term "attention" itself is difficult to define in a measurable way; thus, Flowers uses a much preferred time on task to measure the outcomes in her research participants.
The current brain research that links long-term memory to an emotional
experience (amygdala), as discussed by Flowers (2003), appears to be a key
element in the achievement of educational
For special needs populations, motivation and confidence are critical for success in achieving almost any goal. Our experience and results have shown that working with dolphins provides exceptional motivation. A dolphin's unconditional acceptance of a disabled child provides an intense, yet safe environment, which is critical for the child's development. Students gain the confidence needed to realize they can overcome life's hurdles and to be proud of all they accomplish.
Issues
concerning Dolphin Assisted Therapy/Instruction: The JF2 Dolphin Project is a result of a strong scientific and theoretical base, substantial professional skill and experience, endless hours of hard work and a great deal of commitment and love. We are dedicated to providing realistic and appropriate treatment goals for children, and emphasize appropriate expectations for parents.
Therapy and interaction utilizing a dolphin does not prevent or cure disease or disability. The JF2 Dolphin Project is a cost effective means to increase attention, motivation, and specific skills, in both the short and long term.
Therapy Dolphins
The JF2
Dolphin Project utilizes therapy dolphins that have been
"We have had therapy for Samuel since birth; and Samuel spoke or tried to speak more in dolphin therapy sessions than he ever has before!!!!" --Parent of a child with Down Syndrome
"...our whole family attended sessions and the most definitive way to express our impression of the whole session was, Awesome! As a parent, it is heart warming to see him participate in something that had such an effect on his communication skills!" --Parent of a child with Asperger's Syndrome and Special Ed. Teacher
"As we left the Gulfarium, Ben said to me, 'This is the best day of my entire life!'" --Parent of a child with Autism
"On behalf of my daughter, Shelby, thank you for the opportunity few children will ever have and for caring about children who some would 'throw away.' I am of the belief that we should do whatever we can to give all children a chance at success in life, to help them have a brighter future." --Parent of a child with Down Syndrome
"...the child who participated in the teaching session did not even appear to be the same child when she exited the pool!" --Exceptional Student Education Program Director, Okaloosa County Public Schools, FL.
"...A dramatic improvement was observed in the students language expression from the instructional setting to the completion of the [dolphin reward] in-water session..." --Staffing Specialist, Okaloosa County Public Schools, FL
"...Shared more than the students have heard from him all year...his L's were fluent!" --Second Grade Teacher, Linda Carp
"...Amanda had never been able to put a sentence together like she did today with the therapist at the Gulfarium..." --Parent, R.H.
"Joe does not show many emotions in his facial expressions normally, but...from across the pool, I could see the excitement and joy on his face as he entered Kiwi's pool." --Parent of a child with Autism
"The interaction with Kiwi kept the student focused longer than he would be in my classroom." --Classroom Teacher
"Janet and the trainers were very professional in their instruction while allowing my son to learn in a structured but fun environment. Not only does this build strength in his communication skills, but it has been a self-esteem booster also. Thank you!" --Parent of a child with multiple disabilities
"...Allowed them to present a difficult concept. Time sequencing. Once week later, he is still retaining the concepts of time sequencing -- something he struggled with..." --Parent, C.F.
The thrill and excitement that a child experiences even for a moment, is worth the effort and money for this program. This is something Robin will never forget!" --Parent of a child with Spinal Bifida
The JF2 Dolphin Project has experience working with many disabilities including: Developmental Apraxia, Language Delays, Communication Disorders, Learning Disabilities, Attention Disorders, Hearing Impairments, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Autism, and Speech.
Founder/Lead Therapist BS & MS - Florida State University Speech/Language Pathology Ed.S. - University of West Florida Educational Leadership Ed.D. - University of West Florida Doctorate in Applied Research & Analysis 17 years experience as a speech pathologist 7 years work with Dolphin/Children Therapy Licensed Speech Pathologist - American Speech, Hearing, Language Association (ASHA) Certified Teacher - State of Florida
Please
call 850-217-0099 for prices. Or send an e-mail to: jfdolphinproject@gulfarium.com
Based on our research and extensive experience with disabled children in the water with dolphins, we encourage you to schedule 10 therapy sessions. With each session, children become more familiar with expectations, therapist, and dolphin/water environment. This is when therapeutic benefits usually increase significantly.
Dr. Janet Flowers can be reached at: 850-217-0099 jfdolphinproject@gulfarium.com Or
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The
JF2 Dolphin Project at Florida's Gulfarium is a one to two week therapy program
for children with academic, communication, and/or physical therapy needs. It is
a research based and cost efficient program designed to enhance traditional
therapies. The JF2 Dolphin Project combines the expertise of State of
Florida licensed therapists/teachers and the Gulfarium's experienced dolphin
interaction trainers. The project utilizes Pantropical Spotted dolphins (
