Dolphin-Assisted Therapy: Science, Ethics and Welfare

Dolphin-assisted therapy (DAT) is marketed for conditions including autism and depression. The scientific evidence is weak while the welfare costs to dolphins are significant.

Key Facts

DAT facilities operate in 30+ countries offering therapy in pools with captive dolphins
No rigorous clinical trials support DAT as effective for any condition
Dolphins used in DAT interact with many strangers daily causing chronic social stress
Sessions involve restraint, unfamiliar environments, and forced interactions
The British Psychological Society has concluded the evidence base for DAT is insufficient
Wild dolphin therapy operations in open water raise additional safety and welfare concerns

Welfare Considerations

Dolphin-assisted therapy fails on both welfare and efficacy grounds. Dolphins in DAT facilities experience chronic chronic stress from high volumes of unfamiliar human interactions and uncontrollable contact. The unproven therapeutic benefit makes this welfare cost unjustifiable. Families of children with disabilities are often economically exploited by expensive DAT programmes with no evidence base. The compassionate response is evidence-based therapy for families and welfare protection for dolphins.

What You Can Do

Avoid dolphin-assisted therapy programmes for yourself or family members
Share the evidence against DAT with families who may be considering it
Advocate for DAT to be excluded from healthcare funding as lacking evidence base