We can certainly understand a person going to any length possible to help an ill or disabled loved one. But there is absolutely no scientific evidence to substantiate the claim that spending time in a tank or enclosure with dolphins has healing results for special-needs children.

To the contrary, the only guaranteed result is that the desperate parents of ill or autistic children wind up paying large sums of money for short periods of time in the water with dolphins. Although there may be a momentary increase in the attention level of the child, the effects are fleeting at best. And, in fact, some experts suggest that the inability to provide this kind of stimulus on a consistent basis can actually have a negative effect. However, pet-assisted therapy with dogs, cats and horses is a well-proven technique that enables a child to receive consistent affection and stimulation that can be beneficial in their treatment. Considering the alternatives, why not adopt a pet from a shelter and change two lives for the better?