Dolphin Therapy was a success for Laura

Written by Family Thaller-Klingraber

Final Report on Dolphin Therapy,
Sunday, 19.6.2005 to Tuesday, 28.6.2005
by Laura Luna Thaller

1. General

First of all we would like to thank everyone for their commitment and assistance.

We express our gratitude not only to the medical/scientific team under the management of Dr. Gallina Manjosova and her Assistant Dr. Elena Butusova and the Dolphin trainer Mr. Ilja Makarevitsch, but also to the organisatory staff under the management of Alex Lavrinetz and the Interpreters Ms. Siara and Ms. Natalia Lavrinetz, to Ms. Ece and our Driver Mr. Mehmed , and to Mr. Ahter Suembuel for the Physiotherapy.

The Dolphin Therapy was a success for Laura.

2. Organization

2.1 The Flight

Although we had stated when booking that we were travelling with a wheelchair, and Megasport has already sent necessary information and demand to Oeger Tour no wheelchair service had been ordered in Salzburg. The flight times were not suitable for children or for the handicapped, our children aged 4 and 9 found it very trying. The return flight at 6am on Friday, meaning that we had to leave at midnight on Thursday thereby losing a whole day (Friday) at the hotel, was not to our taste.

2.2 Transfer

The crew were most competent, reliable and punctual, whether it was collection from the airport or the daily transfers from and to the Therapy, or whether it was the small helpful trips to the beach or in the town.

2.3 Welfare Crew

On all points very capable and very competent! Always kind and friendly, whether it be day or night. We felt we were in very good hands! At no time was there anything to criticize.
If this high standard of Service is maintained (and we are sure this will be the case) then this will be a very positive aspect for all other families that come to the Therapy with children.

2.4 The Hotel (Hotel Club Phellos)

The rooms were OK, however not always wheelchair-suitable. Almost no amenities for parents with small children (the playground had 2 see-saws and 2 swings) and the swimming pool, except for the very small baby pool, was too deep for small children.

The food in the form of a Buffet was very good, however a greater portion of it was, because of the hot spices, inedible for children.

3. Therapy

3.1 Successes

From our point of view the Therapy ran its course very well. Through the Doctor’s direction and assistance, and because of the dolphin Mischa and the beluga whale Denis, improvements in the following areas of Laura’s condition became apparent:

1. Range of motion, especially in the shoulder joints, was visibly improved (eg. Throwing the ball overhead).

2. Laura’s reaction time, usually10 to 15 seconds delay due to the Rett syndrome, was noticeably reduced.

3. Laura is much quicker to obtain eye-to-eye contact, which also points to a faster reaction-time.

4. Phonetics and speech is distinctly better and more understandable.

3.2 Course of Therapy

A few further words concerning the course of the therapy:

We were pleased that Laura always had a fixed appointment (at the same time of day), and that because of this Laura could be well prepared.

Dr.Gallina and Dr.Elena were very competent and never asked too much of Laura and she was never in a dangerous situation. The success of the therapy was, to our mind, strengthened through the Doctors’ instructions.
It is also of our opinion that the dolphin and beluga whale were very well prepared for their task.

The Physiotherapy administered by Mr. Ahter Suembuel was a very good, helpful and supportive supplement.

With best wishes

Family Thaller-Klingraber

For dolphin therapy related questions you can contact this family via e-mail: