Article by newspaper MARMARİS – Hürriyet Daily News, 21.02.2011, author: JANE AKATAY
Dolphin therapy centers are not tantamount to dolphin shows, the manager of one such center off the coast of Antalya has said ahead of a planned protest in April by a German dolphin-protection forum.
They want to close the dolphin shows in Turkey but we are not a show, said Turgay Uykusuz, manager of Onmega, about the Wal- und Delfinschutz-Forum (Whale and Dolphin Protection Forum), or WDSF, which is organizing protests in Turkey against dolphin facilities.
They also say that therapy is expensive and doesn’t work. What do they know? They should see some of our patients and talk with the parents of the children with disabilities who come here from all over the world before they say anything like that, Uykusuz told the South Weekly.
Instead, he said he wanted the demonstrators to look at their own countries. Why don’t they close all the dolphin parks in Europe before they come here? Why not try to stop the dolphin massacres in Japan? Instead they compare us to Japan in their comments on Facebook.
Onmega is a dolphin therapy center off the Antalya coast. At a time when many are questioning the efficacy of dolphin therapy and are vociferously protesting against keeping dolphins in captivity for any reason at all, Uykusuz explained why the facility was important and should be allowed to continue its work in peace for the many families with children with disabilities who visit the center.
For Uykusuz, Onmega is the finest facility in Europe. It is the first and only one in open water: much deeper and larger than any other and way above the European guidelines, he said. The three sea pens contain 16,000,000 liters of water. Compare that with the latest dolphinarium opened in Nürnberg, Germany, which has four dolphins in 5.5 million liters, he said.
We have many testimonials saying that our method of dolphin therapy has long-term benefits for them and in some cases has changed lives, Uykusuz said, adding that helped adults and children that come to the center.
The location is crucial, Uykusuz said with passion. In the sea, the water and currents keeps the water changing, which is healthy for the dolphins. This can’t happen in land parks, without machines and chemicals, which are disturbing and dangerous for the dolphins. Our dolphins, Flip, Daisy, Frosia and Splash have two purposes: two for therapy and two for a ‘swim-with’ program. This helps us to publicize what we do and to educate people about these amazing mammals. It also subsidizes therapy for those who couldn’t afford to come otherwise.
The dolphins are quick to learn their role. It only takes three months. They really enjoy themselves and learn quickly. We give our dolphins the best veterinary care from abroad, as there are no expert dolphin vets here in Turkey, he said.
In the early days, the Onmega team hoped to be able to work with the owners of a dolphinarium in Kaş. He admits that they were horrified by the conditions, but thought they could make improvements.
We researched dolphin therapy and thought it would be possible to open a center there, he said.
Unfortunately, despite their promises, the Russian owners didn’t comply with our requirements: the partnership was only for therapy but we split when we realized they were not prepared to change anything and were just using the dolphins for entertainment and profit. So we then decided to move to Antalya and to establish the best dolphin park and therapy center both in Turkey and in Europe. Unfortunately, there are still no guidelines for dolphin parks in Turkey although ours has been used as an example to others of how it should be done, he said.
Uykusuz joined the team at Onmega in 2004 having been skeptical about dolphin therapy. You know I am a member of Mediterranean Greenpeace. I hate to see animals suffering and until I learnt about Onmega Center therapy I was skeptical, too. But since then some of the results I have seen have been so amazing I have cried, he said.
He recalled one case where doctors in Austria did not believe that dolphin therapy could help a child with severe disabilities from birth trauma and were reluctant to agree to fund dolphin therapy. The case went to court where the judge awarded in favor of the child when it was seen how dolphin therapy had helped.
We are providing an excellent service at Onmega, in an amazing environment, which is good for both dolphins and clients but we are being compared with cruel entertainment venues. It is obvious to anyone who cares to look that we are completely special and unique. Even more ridiculous, this group is not visiting dolphin parks in Istanbul and Ankara because ‘they are too far from Antalya.’ These people can’t pick and chose. Let them go away and do their research and stop doing these things for their own egos, he said.
Special food for dolphins
The dolphins at the Onmega Dolphin Therapy Center in Antalya eat special foods brought in from overseas, according to manager Turgay Uykusuz.
We give the dolphins extra minerals and vitamins bought from a specialist U.K. company and they also carry out regular blood tests. Our fish is the best: this is another problem for many dolphinariums because buying the correct varieties of fish for dolphins is so expensive when it is done properly. If we are at all suspicious about any consignment, we throw it away. We also send samples of the fish to İzmir or Bursa, where they test it for bacteria. We buy our fish ‘shock-frozen’ at -40 degrees Celsius and keep them in special freezers set at -25 degrees Celsius. All this is very important for the dolphins’ health as it protects them from any contaminants, Uykusuz told the South Weekly.
Mixture of classic therapies and interactive dolphin therapy
Several special treatments are used at the Onmega Dolphin Therapy Center, according to its manager.
We specialize in combining classical therapies such as physiotherapy, crania-sacral therapy and hippo therapy. Our clients have 10 45-minute sessions of interactive dolphin therapy, together with 10 sessions of classical therapies [either one chosen classical therapy or a mixture of them]. The created synergy increases the overall power and effect. And we have a wonderful team of expert humans, from all over the world, to work with them, Turgay Uykusuz told the South Weekly.
People who have been in contact with dolphins say they have extraordinary experiences and there are many stories about how dolphins protect and save humans, like they are our protectors, he said.
He also said dolphins should be kept in their natural environment. If they are not, they can’t use their sonar properly, [since they need that] to help people who are ill. It is a sort of catharsis: their sensitive ultrasound cavitation effect has extraordinary properties. You know, really they are rather like doctors. They can understand when a person is ill and help them.
Of Onmega’s annual average of 150 therapy patients, most come from Germany, France, the Netherlands and England. Some patients come repeatedly because they see so much improvement.
Blog
Therapeutic Dolphins are Doctors of the Sea, says Onmega
Posted by Dolphin Therapy Team in Media ReportsNo Comments »/Article by newspaper MARMARİS – Hürriyet Daily News, 21.02.2011, author: JANE AKATAY
Dolphin therapy centers are not tantamount to dolphin shows, the manager of one such center off the coast of Antalya has said ahead of a planned protest in April by a German dolphin-protection forum.
They want to close the dolphin shows in Turkey but we are not a show, said Turgay Uykusuz, manager of Onmega, about the Wal- und Delfinschutz-Forum (Whale and Dolphin Protection Forum), or WDSF, which is organizing protests in Turkey against dolphin facilities.
They also say that therapy is expensive and doesn’t work. What do they know? They should see some of our patients and talk with the parents of the children with disabilities who come here from all over the world before they say anything like that, Uykusuz told the South Weekly.
Instead, he said he wanted the demonstrators to look at their own countries. Why don’t they close all the dolphin parks in Europe before they come here? Why not try to stop the dolphin massacres in Japan? Instead they compare us to Japan in their comments on Facebook.
Onmega is a dolphin therapy center off the Antalya coast. At a time when many are questioning the efficacy of dolphin therapy and are vociferously protesting against keeping dolphins in captivity for any reason at all, Uykusuz explained why the facility was important and should be allowed to continue its work in peace for the many families with children with disabilities who visit the center.
For Uykusuz, Onmega is the finest facility in Europe. It is the first and only one in open water: much deeper and larger than any other and way above the European guidelines, he said. The three sea pens contain 16,000,000 liters of water. Compare that with the latest dolphinarium opened in Nürnberg, Germany, which has four dolphins in 5.5 million liters, he said.
We have many testimonials saying that our method of dolphin therapy has long-term benefits for them and in some cases has changed lives, Uykusuz said, adding that helped adults and children that come to the center.
The location is crucial, Uykusuz said with passion. In the sea, the water and currents keeps the water changing, which is healthy for the dolphins. This can’t happen in land parks, without machines and chemicals, which are disturbing and dangerous for the dolphins. Our dolphins, Flip, Daisy, Frosia and Splash have two purposes: two for therapy and two for a ‘swim-with’ program. This helps us to publicize what we do and to educate people about these amazing mammals. It also subsidizes therapy for those who couldn’t afford to come otherwise.
The dolphins are quick to learn their role. It only takes three months. They really enjoy themselves and learn quickly. We give our dolphins the best veterinary care from abroad, as there are no expert dolphin vets here in Turkey, he said.
In the early days, the Onmega team hoped to be able to work with the owners of a dolphinarium in Kaş. He admits that they were horrified by the conditions, but thought they could make improvements.
We researched dolphin therapy and thought it would be possible to open a center there, he said.
Unfortunately, despite their promises, the Russian owners didn’t comply with our requirements: the partnership was only for therapy but we split when we realized they were not prepared to change anything and were just using the dolphins for entertainment and profit. So we then decided to move to Antalya and to establish the best dolphin park and therapy center both in Turkey and in Europe. Unfortunately, there are still no guidelines for dolphin parks in Turkey although ours has been used as an example to others of how it should be done, he said.
Uykusuz joined the team at Onmega in 2004 having been skeptical about dolphin therapy. You know I am a member of Mediterranean Greenpeace. I hate to see animals suffering and until I learnt about Onmega Center therapy I was skeptical, too. But since then some of the results I have seen have been so amazing I have cried, he said.
He recalled one case where doctors in Austria did not believe that dolphin therapy could help a child with severe disabilities from birth trauma and were reluctant to agree to fund dolphin therapy. The case went to court where the judge awarded in favor of the child when it was seen how dolphin therapy had helped.
We are providing an excellent service at Onmega, in an amazing environment, which is good for both dolphins and clients but we are being compared with cruel entertainment venues. It is obvious to anyone who cares to look that we are completely special and unique. Even more ridiculous, this group is not visiting dolphin parks in Istanbul and Ankara because ‘they are too far from Antalya.’ These people can’t pick and chose. Let them go away and do their research and stop doing these things for their own egos, he said.
Special food for dolphins
The dolphins at the Onmega Dolphin Therapy Center in Antalya eat special foods brought in from overseas, according to manager Turgay Uykusuz.
We give the dolphins extra minerals and vitamins bought from a specialist U.K. company and they also carry out regular blood tests. Our fish is the best: this is another problem for many dolphinariums because buying the correct varieties of fish for dolphins is so expensive when it is done properly. If we are at all suspicious about any consignment, we throw it away. We also send samples of the fish to İzmir or Bursa, where they test it for bacteria. We buy our fish ‘shock-frozen’ at -40 degrees Celsius and keep them in special freezers set at -25 degrees Celsius. All this is very important for the dolphins’ health as it protects them from any contaminants, Uykusuz told the South Weekly.
Mixture of classic therapies and interactive dolphin therapy
Several special treatments are used at the Onmega Dolphin Therapy Center, according to its manager.
We specialize in combining classical therapies such as physiotherapy, crania-sacral therapy and hippo therapy. Our clients have 10 45-minute sessions of interactive dolphin therapy, together with 10 sessions of classical therapies [either one chosen classical therapy or a mixture of them]. The created synergy increases the overall power and effect. And we have a wonderful team of expert humans, from all over the world, to work with them, Turgay Uykusuz told the South Weekly.
People who have been in contact with dolphins say they have extraordinary experiences and there are many stories about how dolphins protect and save humans, like they are our protectors, he said.
He also said dolphins should be kept in their natural environment. If they are not, they can’t use their sonar properly, [since they need that] to help people who are ill. It is a sort of catharsis: their sensitive ultrasound cavitation effect has extraordinary properties. You know, really they are rather like doctors. They can understand when a person is ill and help them.
Of Onmega’s annual average of 150 therapy patients, most come from Germany, France, the Netherlands and England. Some patients come repeatedly because they see so much improvement.
Dolphin Therapy of Max
Posted by Dolphin Therapy Team in Therapy TestimonialsNo Comments »/Dolphin Therapy of Max from 03.07 – 17.07.2010
Onmega Dolphin Park, Antalya, Turkey
Dear friends, helpers and donators to the Aktion Delphin e.V.
Our dream came true and we look back to an eventful time!
From 03. – 17.07.2010 we were in Antalya , Turkey, in the Onmega Dolphin park. During the journey Max was very nervous and excited. We believe that he sensed that a great event lay before him.
Soon after the first few dolphin therapies Max was a changed person. He gained his sense of balance and just enjoyed himself the whole time. Read the rest of this entry »
Dolphin Therapy – Free Webinar on March, 15th 2011
Posted by Dolphin Therapy Team in Dolphin Therapy News2 Comments »/Dolphin Therapy presents a exceptional opportunity especially for children but also for adults with special needs to find new ways to health and/or to alleviate their ailments.
Background
In our Dolphin Therapy Center in Antalya, Turkey, we offer our patients individually concerted therapies. Contact with our dolphins plays a central role. But a complete therapy is important, which is why Hippotherapy in a riding school, Physiotherapy, Cranio-Sacral and Ergo therapy are integrated in our programme.
We receive many queries from affected parents as also from people interested in therapy. Now and then they are concerned or have reservations, this shows us how important it is to provide information and explanations with respect to Dolphin Therapy.
This prompted us to organize a free Dolphin Therapy webinar. We will give first-hand reports on this interesting form of therapy and provide insights and background to our methods of work.
Date & Agenda
Tuesday, 15.03.2011, 16.00 – 17.00 GMT / UTC
Dolphin with Labrador – wonderful love …
Posted by Dolphin Therapy Team in Mixed Info1 Comment »/Labrador and Dolphin play in the harbour of Tory Island in Ireland. What kind of wonderful love is this?
Sabrina and the dream coming true of visiting ’’our Angels of the Seas’’.
Posted by Dolphin Therapy Team in Therapy TestimonialsNo Comments »/Report on my ever loving daughter Sabrina and the dream coming true of visiting “our Angels of the Seas”.
From our hearts to parents of a disabled child:
Heaven’s special child
There was a meeting a long way from Earth.
„It is time for another birth“ said the Angels up there to God, and this special child will need lots of love. Its progress will be very slow, achievements may not be apparent. And the people down there will have to take care of it.
It cannot walk, laugh or play like others, its thoughts will be of another world. Ignored by many people, as a disabled child it will always be at a disadvantage So let us be careful where we shall send it. We want it to have a happy and peaceful life. Please God, find us the parents who will master this difficult task for you.
They won’t know at first which important role they must play for this child who is very loyal and possesses a lot of love.
But soon the parents will realise their privilege in caring for this present from heaven. This precious charge, so gentle and mild, is heaven’s very special present. Read the rest of this entry »
Practical training report From Mag. Carmen Viereckl, Diploma of Psychology
Posted by Dolphin Therapy Team in Therapy TestimonialsNo Comments »/From Mag. Carmen Viereckl, Diploma of Psychology
I undertook practical training from August to October 2010 in the Dolphin Therapy Center, Antalya/Türkey and with this Report would like to inform future interested parties of my experiences and impressions.
The Therapy Center engages a multi cultural team comprising Therapists, Dolphin trainers, Trainees and diverse personnel who are mainly responsible for tourism. A good knowledge of the English language is therefore most important to be able to work there and to socialize. Read the rest of this entry »
Dolphin Therapy Proves Successful
Posted by Dolphin Therapy Team in Media Reports1 Comment »/Article from Newspaper Südkurier, 29.06.2010, Author: Liselotte Noth
Küssaberg – Nick Jerome’s lot and the call for help from his mother moved a lot of people to make donations for the autistic child from Dangstetten.
Photo: Private
The donations were to help towards an expensive dolphin therapy and give the six year-old more quality in his life. The therapy has in the meantime taken place „And Nick Jerome has made a lot of little improvements“ reported mother Daniela Klein overjoyed.
The mother, a single parent, chose to seek help from the public. For the good of her child. „Because we would never have been able to afford such a therapy. But through just such a therapy so many improvements have been made in the development of autistic children.“ Daniela Klein wanted to leave no stone unturned and through her perseverence gained financial help. „Even from complete strangers“, said the mother visibly moved.
Private individuals, Clubs and Schools donated for Nick Jerome. And at last the day arrived that the boy was well enough to travel. Not so far as was at first assumed. Daniela Klein learned during her appeal of successful therapies in Turkey. And she readily chose this to save her son the eleven hour flight to America.
The journey was strenuous for both mother and child. „But a successful therapy is the only thing that counts“, Daniela Klein doesn’t look back. „Since the dolphin therapy my son is always in good spirits. He talks and sings. He is extremely fit and alert. He can even climb the stairs on his own without me having to carry him half the way. He can tolerate his medication much better – and he eats“, said Daniela Klein overwhelmed, who during the therapy had a big problem. Her son didn’t want to eat. Read the rest of this entry »
Our dolphin therapy with Marlies was a very pleasant experience.
Posted by Dolphin Therapy Team in Therapy TestimonialsNo Comments »/Marlies is a four year old girl who was born with the Angelman syndrome. This entails a mental and physical disability. Although her body is optically normally developed, she cannot sit by herself, she cannot crawl or make herself understood. With the help of the Lionsclub we were able to book an Onmega dolphin therapy for July 2010.
The flight to Dalaman and the transfer to Antalya – although nearly 2 hours – was without problems. In the Hotel Club Turban we received a very friendly welcome, everything was clean and tidy, the usual 4 star standard.
On the first day after our arrival we had the introductory meeting in the Therapy Center. We gained a very positive impression from the agenda and the way the meeting was held. We left with the feeling that the Onmega people were capable and really wanted to help, that they were professionals who knew what they were doing and that Marlies would be in good hands. Read the rest of this entry »
Representative for Bulgaria: Ivan Stoyanov
Posted by Dolphin Therapy Team in Mixed Info1 Comment »/Dear friends,
my name is Ivan, I come from Bulgaria and I live in the town of Varna. I graduated ecology and environmental sciences in 1998, I’ve got master degree. Then I worked for an environmental NGO.
Since the end of March 2009 I’ve been interested in animal therapy and I’ve made contacts with different organizations working on this sphere. My own website www.BestFellows.com is about pets and useful information about them. This year I was invited by Mr. Axel Linke, the Director of Onmega Dolphin Therapy and Activity Center in Antalya, Turkey, to visit him and to get acquainted at close and in details with the dolphin therapy. Read the rest of this entry »
Dolphin Therapy report from family Schröder
Posted by Dolphin Therapy Team in Therapy TestimonialsNo Comments »/Dear Dolphin Therapy Team,
Janik was in Antalya for therapy from 5.6. – 19.6.2010 with his grandparents and was treated by Splash the dolphin and the therapists Fleur, Crissy, Anke, Beata and more whose names escape me.
We, the grandparents, only have Janik during the holidays and when he is ill and has to visit the lung specialist. So we only notice the progress he has made during a fifth of the last half year.
Janik is a lot more confident, doesn’t run away in panic from every animal. A while ago riding on the tandem a cat sprang into his lap. He didn’t shout, he threw up his hands but not defensively or screaming as he used to. He strokes his therapy horse even if it is dirty and he even scratches out the hooves as if it is a matter of course with him. He dares to lead the horse with its reins, he combs his therapy dog at eye level. Read the rest of this entry »