A New Physical Therapy Surfaces: Swimming With the Dolphins in Brazil

Thought Question: Where is a place in nature where you feel the happiest, and what makes it special to you?

Dolphins are one of the world’s most brilliant creatures. They appear to swim carefree in waters across the world. But it's possible they can also provide therapy to humans. 

In Brazil, in fact, hundreds of people with physical disabilities have tried an alternative treatment that involves swimming with dolphins.  

Physiotherapist Igor Simoes Andrade told Agence France-Presse (AFP) that his special form of animal therapy is “the first in the world.” He noted that it brings his patients joy, happiness, and into contact with nature. But he added it should not replace other treatments.  

Andrade conducts his therapy sessions in the Rio Negro river. It lies in the Amazon rainforest in Brazil. Some 400 people have come to Andrade for treatments. He has been doing it for 20 years. People have come to him for many different reasons. Those range from autism to Down syndrome. Others have lost limbs.    

Patients do not jump right into the river. The first step in the treatment is to do breathing exercises and yoga to relax. The pink dolphins in the river are called “boto” in Brazil. They love humans. Soon after the patients enter, the dolphins are swimming between their legs and floating among the humans. 

During a recent session, Luis Felipe told the AFP he would never have dared enter the river. But he said the so-called “bototherapy” sessions have boosted confidence. Felipe has Down syndrome.

Andrade told the AFP that the therapy helps his patients with “balance, strengthening the spine, and psychomotor skills.” He added: “Here we don't treat pathologies but human beings.” 

Photo of Amazon river dolphin from Wikimedia Commons.