Marine Animals

Dolphin-Assisted Therapy Ethics and Welfare

Dolphin-assisted therapy (DAT) programmes remain controversial, with little evidence of therapeutic benefit and significant welfare concerns for captive dolphins.

Key Facts

No robust randomised controlled trials demonstrate efficacy of DAT
Dolphins in DAT programmes experience stress from forced human interaction
Forced swim programmes particularly compromise dolphin welfare
Wild-caught dolphins may be used, raising additional ethical concerns
Most peer-reviewed evidence suggests DAT benefits are not superior to other therapies

Welfare Considerations

DAT raises serious welfare concerns for the dolphins involved, who are required to interact with multiple unfamiliar humans daily. The lack of evidence for therapeutic benefit makes the welfare cost difficult to justify. Alternative therapies provide equivalent or superior outcomes.

What You Can Do

Choose evidence-based therapies with established efficacy for your needs
Avoid tourism experiences that use captive dolphins for therapeutic interactions
Support campaigns to end wild dolphin captures for entertainment or therapy
Advocate for regulatory frameworks governing animal-assisted interventions
Share information about the lack of evidence for DAT with those who ask