Curaçao Dolphin Therapy & Research Center
As the leading dolphin assisted therapy center in the world, the Curaçao Dolphin Therapy & Research Center, (CDTC), was founded in 2004, located on the Dutch Caribbean island of Curaçao. They employ a group of dedicated and caring, qualified professionals, including psychologists, physical therapists, speech therapists and occupational therapists who are all highly trained in the field of dolphin assisted therapy. In the center they work closely together with a facility physician available to provide the absolute care for their patients and their families. And of course, the five amazing bottlenose dolphins who exclusively work together with the team in their ground-breaking therapy program.
CDTC offers a unique and effective therapy program in a beautiful inspiring and relaxing Caribbean destination.
They welcome around 350 patients and their families from around the world each year. They work together with patients from 3 years and older with special needs like Autism, Asperger Syndrome, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy or psychological conditions like Depression, PTSD and Mental Burnout.
Watch the introductory video here: (Dutch language)
Curacao Dolphin Therapy & Research Center
Dolphin Assisted therapy has long been regarded as an effective form of therapy that has helped to improve levels of cognition and mobility for people with a wide range of developmental, physical and emotional conditions. Gentle by nature, the dolphins display an extraordinarily high level of intelligence and intuition that enables them to create, what many would describe as, a ‘magical’ connection with special-needs patients. These therapy dolphins work together with a team of qualified therapists and trainers under supervision of a scientific advisory board, to help improve the patient’s overall wellbeing.
The Curaçao Dolphin Therapy & Research Center has been specifically designed to be an inspirational place for people with special needs and their families. The facilities, at a glance:
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Spacious open seawater lagoons set amidst the beautiful natural environment
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Convenient therapy platforms with easy access for all special needs
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Quiet indoor therapy rooms
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Relaxing indoor and outdoor family spaces
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Bathrooms, showers and other facilities for people with special needs
The center is located at the Curaçao Sea Aquarium, situated directly on the Caribbean Sea.
Are you curious and would you like more information? Take a look at the CDTC website
Dolphins are essential to the program. They are seen as equal colleagues. For this reason, the center places an exceptional focus on the well-being of the dolphins. The CDTC dolphins are Atlantic bottlenose dolphins that were born at the Center in Curacao, some more than 15 years ago, or came to Curacao from the Roatan Institute for Marine Sciences in Honduras.
Atlantic bottlenose dolphins are known for their gentleness, curiosity and eagerness to learn to interact with people. Qualities that make them perfect therapy partners. The dolphins are specially chosen for the CDTC program and are used exclusively for therapeutic purposes. They live in spacious lagoons with a constant flow of fresh seawater. The dolphins only participate in a limited number of hours of therapy and are fed a high-quality diet. A qualified and specialized veterinarian is part of the training team.