Dolphin Therapy with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

I wanted to write of my time at the therapy centre in Antalya, and to thank you all again for the wonderful care, and attention, you gave me.

From the very start of my inquiry into Dolphin Therapy, I recieved very compassionate, and detailed, care from Turgay. Within one week of my first email, we had a program made up for me, and I am not exactly a “usual” case for this type of therapy. I sought this therapy for myself, not for a child. I’d heard that Dolphin Therapy could be successful in helping sufferers of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and I was desparate to see if it could help me.

The team came up with a special program for me, and although they were not familiar with treating PTSD, they were willing to give it a try, as was I.

I arrived in Antalya on April 23, 2011, and after a day of rest, I met with Barbara, my therapist, and Daisy, the best dolphin ever! The team was very nice in letting me set the limits of the program, and in understanding all of my needs. Each day in the water with Daisy was relaxing, and magical, in a way I cannot decribe, like she was telling me “the world is okay, it can be great” in her own dolphin way.

I really grew to love her smiling face, and how she’d always nudge me for cuddles and belly rubs!! She is just like a big hairless “water-cat”! From the first day, I felt myself begin to relax, and feel more stress-free than I had in a long while.

Another part of my therapy was Hippotherapy with Felis, and Salih, at Dortnal Ranch. Felis decided that it would be more therapeutic for me to ride the horse naturally, and to gain the self confidence of being able to handle and command him on my own. This is just what we did, and on several rides up through the hills, I did gain confidence in my ability to guide the horse, and myself.

I did Cranio-sacral therapy, with Barbara, as a part of my therapy as well, and it certainly had a big effect on me. With her caring and skilled touch, I not only got physical relief from pain associated with my stomach, but it was 2 weeks after treatment had ended, when I noted to myself, and my husband, “my back and neck haven’t hurt at all since ending therapy in Antalya”.

It was quite a shock for me to realise this, as I have been afflicted with pain from Fibromyalgia daily for the past 8 years, and back and neck pain were just a part of my day. Not only that, I began to notice that I wasn’t having as many nightmares of my trauma as usual, and that triggers were not causing me the same degree of distress that they had before treatment.

I think that combined, the therapies I recieved have opened up a whole new world for me. Where before I was too afraid to give myself, and the world, a chance; and I hid behind excuses of fear, I now want to go out and better myself. The idea of going back to school is not only a possibility, but something I am now looking forward to. I have gained a new hope, in both myself, and my future, and I feel like I will actually succeed in my dreams, where before I couldn’t picture anything going right. I felt my trauma had left me beaten.

Overall, the treatment allowed me several weeks of stress-free relaxation, and fun, but I also feel that there has been a long term change in me. I am looking forward to what comes next. I am making plans. I feel like I was renewed, in a way, and that I now have the confidence in myself, and the desire to see what comes next. I haven’t felt that in so long. While life has continued since my return, I am still having less nightmares than before, and am much more relaxed in my daily life. I feel more able to deal with the stressors that do come my way, and I know that the therapy is what did that for me.

Barbara, and the trainers were wonderful, and I even met with Axel and Elena, who helped me not only with the paperwork I needed, but gave me a drive to Fethiye when the program had ended!! I was then lucky enough to meet with Turgay, in Fethiye, where he showed my husband and I the town, and where to eat and enjoy ourselves as we continued our vacation. Turgay went out of his way from beginning to end to make this therapy happen for me, and then he went even further to take time from his work to help us get acquianted in fethiye!

The team are just wonderful caring people who go out of their way to be helpful, and compassionate. They all work together to make Onmega what it is, and that is special. My husband and I are sure that we will be returning to see the team, and Daisy once again.

Thank you all for everything!!

Anna B (Age 25)
CANADA