Dolphin Connection Blog - March 201003/03/2010

Let us just be honest with you - we are so lucky because we have the best jobs in the world! Spending every day playing with dolphins and introducing them to eager guests is really a dream come true! Although we have so much fun building relationships with our dolphin friends, we do still have a serious responsibility on our shoulders. First, to care for the dolphins’ every need every single day, to make sure they are happy and healthy and well cared for. Second, to make personal connections happen between guests and our dolphins – ones that will empower and motivate them to care about conserving wildlife and the wild places they need to survive. This is a life-long commitment, and one we take very seriously. So as you can imagine, not just anyone can step into this important career – it takes a very special person. And although people often ask about how we train the dolphins…did you ever stop to think about how we train our trainers? Hmmmmm…good question! At first, assistant trainers spend time with our animals alongside human mentors, who already know each dolphin very well. Since each dolphin is unique, with its own personality, the goal to build a strong relationship of trust and respect with each one can be a daunting task. As you can imagine, this goal is achieved over time, one on one, through training, husbandry, encounter, play, and enrichment opportunities together. And the learning doesn’t stop once the staff member walks away from the lagoon. Assistant trainers have many, many other requirements to meet, including reading and studying materials to be covered in written tests that will help determine their qualifications for advancement. No wonder it takes one full year just to reach trainer level! This type of learning, for both the dolphins and staff, never stops. A trainer will eventually earn the opportunity to teach one of the dolphins’ a new behavior. This is always a very exciting and gratifying time! Believe it or not, the dolphins also like to learn new behavior! Training is a great way to provide stimulation and exercise. In addition to developing training and enrichment plans, trainers spend a lot of time focusing on variety – new and fun ways of providing the dolphins with plenty of stimulating activities. It makes for a very busy day, every day! No matter how experienced our staff, they never stop learning! We offer endless possibilities for the growth and advancement of even well-established staff members, including classes and seminars, conferences and trainer exchanges, field work and research – all of these serve to enhance staff development. In fact, we are honored and privileged to say that our staff training and development program was recently accredited by the International Marine Animal Trainers’ Association – only the second facility in the world to receive such a distinction! Let’s face it: a well-rounded and motivated staff translates into happy and healthy dolphins who inspire our guests to care about conservation. And in our book, nothing could be better than that!