May28
Kids Will Flip Over Faux 'Flippers'
Posted at 04:10 PM | Permalink
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We're generally not fans of anything to do with swimming with dolphins (unless it involves a boat and scuba gear out in the middle of the ocean). That's because hotels and aquariums that offer people the chance to "swim" with dolphins really mean that you get to sit with a dolphin in a swimming pool—a pool that is essentially the equivalent of a bathtub to an animal who would naturally swim dozens of miles a day. In addition to the criminal lack of exercise and mental stimulation, captive dolphins are suspected of being driven mad by the sound of their sonar, which constantly bounces off the tank walls.
But thanks to Animal Makers, kids with cerebral palsy, autism, Down syndrome, and other developmental disorders will get a chance to interact with "TADs" (therapeutic animatronic dolphins) that move and even make squeaky dolphin noises at a new facility that is being built in Florida.
Kids get to play with really cool life-like robots, dolphins get a break. It doesn't get any better than that.
Posted by Alisa Mullins
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Hi, where exactly in Florida will this be? This is so wonderful to hear! I despise Swim with Dolphin parks! I would love to see a dolphin park made entirely of realistic looking and sounding robotics! :) Terrific! Keep us updated!
Posted by: Niki | May 28, 2009 07:46 PM
Is this the same company that makes the animatronic baby harp seals now in use as therapy animals in Japanese nursing homes?
Posted by: Rev. Meg Schramm | May 29, 2009 10:46 AM
It's in Bradenton, FL. Web site is www.iactcenter.com
Video is on You Tube as well of TAD.
Posted by: zosh | June 9, 2009 01:28 PM
great to see that this is being done, these beautiful animals were'nt meant to be held in captiving, sad to see what humans do to make $$ off precious animals that belong back in their own domain!
Posted by: elizabeth | June 10, 2009 01:28 PM