Dolphin-assisted therapy programmes raise serious animal welfare concerns and lack scientific evidence for therapeutic benefits, yet continue to operate globally.
Dolphin-assisted therapy presents a double welfare problem: the dolphins are harmed by forced interaction with strangers in confined environments, while vulnerable human participants may be exposed to pathogens and injury risks without genuine therapeutic benefit. The appeal of the therapy exploits emotional connections between humans and dolphins without clinical basis. Advocating against these programmes is complicated by the hope families invest in them, but the evidence base and welfare impact do not justify their continuation.