Island Dolphin Care

We came to Meet The Pod - it was the best experience we had while we were in The Keys. Absolutely recommend supporting them and their incredible mission!!

Island Dolphin Care is one of the most special places I have ever been to. I am a current intern here, and I absolutely love it. The animals are amazing, the staff is more than wonderful, and the help and joy that people are able to experience here is incredible. Island Dolphin Care is nothing short of a blessing. :)

I visited with my family some time ago, my daughter was only one at the time and the whole team was kind and patient as she worked through a couple of challenging moments. I am grateful to have had a quiet environment and calm staff so that we were all able to share in the moment as a family as she met dolphins for the first time.

Island Dolphin Care feels like destiny to me as so many synchronicities brought me to become a volunteer here. I also have received personal health improvements by being with the dolphins. I had Lyme Disease that was taking away my ability to walk and zapping my energy. After being in the water with the IDC therapy dolphins (with amazing trainers and therapists), I have had a miraculous recovery in mind body and spirit.

With each session I noticed a remarkable improvement. I was able to take my knee brace off and walk without pain. I Am now able to do yoga and feel able to give more to the world. I can even dance and mermaid again. Two of my favorite things to do.

I have witnessed countless other people receiving health and spiritual upliftment from the IDC therapy dolphins.

For example, A veteran and his family swam with the IDC dolphins. Afterwards one could see his pearly whites as his smile was so huge and bright. When I was talking with his wife she said “I have not seen my husband smile for many years. “. The whole family was smiling.

In fact, I have noticed all the families who come here with special needs children have a major uplift in their presence to a beautiful all encompassing Joy. They have found their “forever dolphin smile” when they leave.

My dear friend David had a meet and greet with Bella and Grace. He has been diagnosed with severe stenosis in L4 & L5, the stenosis closes in on the nerves and cuts off feeling from his waist down to his feet, causing him to lose his balance. Following his dolphin encounter he saw improvements.

A Make a Wish child went from frightened and anxious to smiling when she was with the dolphins.

My friend Todd was visiting with his special needs brother . His brother loved his experience. Todd asked another participant’s mother what her experience was. She answered with happy tears: “This is the first time I have heard my daughter speak in 15 years.”

The Joy one feels when they visit IDC is palpable. Even the people of the pod are full of love and joy like the dolphins. Children love the touch tank and it is a place their spirit can feel free to smile.

I am so grateful to be part of the IDC pod. A Unity Community of Joy and Love times infinity. Bonnie Blue.

My name is Joe Hoagland Island Dolphin Care is a wonderful place for kids and veterans, as one the founders it has been an honor to see so many families come through our door. Island dolphin care has also helped with my own struggles as a child. island dolphin care will always have a special place in my heart.

Our experience at Island Dolphin Care could not have been better. The staff were so welcoming and accommodating. My son gained so much confidence and learned so much while there. It was an amazing bonding experience and something we will never forget.

Island Dolphin Care is a special place. I am beyond blessed to see their work first hand. The amount of passion and authenticity is refreshing and a real pleasure to see in action. Every person that steps through the doors is treated like royalty and by the time they are finished, clients depart with feelings and emotions only they can describe. The care taken by the team and the true therapy provided by the dolphins is life changing for all. Unique place for anyone curious about dolphin therapy you won’t find anywhere in the world.

I have worked at Island Dolphin Care for several years now and was a volunteer prior to that, I absolutely love the atmosphere and the team! Everyone truly loves and cares for the dolphins and the families that visit for therapeutic programs. With so many smiling faces and people that love to be at Island Dolphin Care, it feels like coming home for the team as well as returning families for therapeutic programs.

Island Dolphin Care is an incredible place with such a meaningful mission. They strive to give the best support to everyone in a fun and unique way, giving people experiences of a lifetime. There is always a great atmosphere around all staff and the dolphins are the sweetest! Highly recommend visiting and meeting the pod.

My family and I first came to IDC in 2002 to get dolphin therapy for my younger brother and came back several times since then. The whole IDC team brings so much joy not only to the children with special needs but also to their whole families. The classroom sessions are unique for every child to get the best therapy that’s possible. The dolphins are trained very well and everyone takes care of their health. In 2017 I came back to IDC for a therapy internship to work at this beautiful place, where I could learn more about the different forms of therapy as well as the dolphins. I can’t wait to come back again to spend some time at this special place.

Island Dolphin Care gives world class care to their resident dolphins daily all while providing therapeutic interactions to people of varying abilities. IDC utilizes the human-animal connection to bring joy to children and adults with disabilities including veterans with ptsd. The dolphins physical and mental wellbeing is at the heart of it all.

We took students from the College of the Florida Keys to a field trip to Island Dolphin Care. Their staff was incredibly friendly and kind to all our students. Our students got a tour of the facility and had a dolphin meet and greet. The dolphin meet and greet far exceeded my expectations! I was surprised how close and personal our students got to be with the dolphins from the comfort of the dock.

I found this nonprofit through a school trip where we were learning about dolphin assisted therapy. During our trip the Island Dolphin Care family really invited us in for 3 days to learn all about the amazing work they do here. They showed us everything from diet preps to fun enrichment sessions to the deep water swims they do with therapy clients. It was such an education and wonderful experience that I decided to apply for their summer internship program. Alyssa, the intern coordinator, has creating an amazing program that covers academics, hands-on learning, and more. Compared to other, similar dolphin care and training internships it stands out for the well rounded interns that emerge. Island dolphin care puts so much effort into their therapy programs and they are truly one of a kind experiences for these families. The animal care staff is always there to advocate for the health and safety of the dolphins. I know that these animals are getting the best possible care and the clients are benefiting from their time here.

I brought a group of students with ASD to Island Dolphin Care for a dolphin swim. The staff were amazing. All of our students went with staff. Staff had the upmost respect and dignity for our students. The students were all handled with care. The staff had all the patience in the world with our students. All students participated and swam with the dolphins. It was so amazing to see the students in the water and see the smiles on their faces. Highly recommend Island Dolphin Care. This is an experience I wish all children were able to have.

Our first family vacation adventure for 7 to 74yrs that everyone was able to do without issues because staff was so accommodating and knowledgeable! As School Psychology doctoral student, I was so impressed by the staff’s care, kindness, knowledge, and love for the cause and visitors(very rare combo)! Everyone loved it and we were so proud to support an animal friendly dolphin encounter with therapy (and only one in the US)!!! Animals had choices and were treated with open hands and gentleness! Thank you so much for everything!!! Our family will never forget it!

I first started working with IDC 16 years ago assisting with their annual auction. The story behind its start touched my heart back then and still does today. Its a very special place with a very special mission and anyone that's lucky enough to go there will leave with a big smile on their face. The staff are amazing and do such a phenomenal job at making all that visit there feel spectacular. Well done team IDC and please always keep up with the amazing work Joe and Deena started.

Our family had the best experience at Island Dolphin Care. From our 2 year old to the grandparents, we all agreed it was a special experience. Each staff member was outstanding and so caring. The dolphins were so gentle and sweet. We absolutely love the story behind this facility and will always make a point to come back and visit anytime we are in the area. Thank you so much to all the staff for such a great memory that we will treasure forever!

I have been a volunteer at Island Dolphin Care for a couple of years. There is no other volunteer job as rewarding as this. Island Dolphin Care provides a special interaction and dolphin therapy for special needs individuals. I take pictures of participants getting so much joy swimming, hugging, kissing and playing with the dolphins.
We also give tours to the general public to show our dolphin therapy facility. Recently two gentlemen from Germany commented that the tour and dock interaction was the best part of their trip to the US!
The dolphins eat a lot of fish and require a lot of care so we appreciate any donations. Come visit the facility if you are ever in the Key Largo area. You will love it!!
Judy

Our daughter has a rare chromosome disorder and is severely disabled. She absolutely loves coming here and so do her two siblings. From the moment you arrive the feeling of love and calm surrounds you!
It’s definitely our happy place, I’ve never seen my children smile so much. The therapy is wonderful and my daughter has achieved so much but the precious time together and feeling of acceptance has meant we’ve returned over and over again

I love the story behind IDC. The staff is very knowledgeable and friendly. I loved swimming with the dolphins!! I definitely see how this would be therapeutic. Great place, doing great things❤️������������������

I am a vendor who has had the privilege of working with Island Dolphin Care on a personal level now for 4 years. When you meet the team at IDC, you are being adopted into their incredible, loving family. Deena is the type of "boss" (as your client), who creates a culture of "growth" with her vendors. She leads with grace, and is yet still humble to reach out to you for your advice. Everyone I have met who supports IDC absolutely loves the mission, the team, and loves supporting this incredible organization.

I have been extremely fortunate to grow alongside this organization, see them in action, and I know that EVERY dollar raised is going to their cause. These are real people, genuine people, and they are people making a difference in so many lives.

They are incredible!

This place is awesome! Does so much to help so many disabled and educate the public on marine life! The staff and volunteers are amazing people! Just love it!!

As a local resident of the Florida Keys I am often asked to recommend a place for visitors to interact with dolphins. There are a handful of facilities to choose from and I always recommend Island Dolphin Care.
They provide therapy to children with special-needs, veterans with PTSD and first responders. Additionally they provide education to the general public and provide you with more knowledge than you thought you could know. Their mission is only to bring purpose, without exploitation, to the eight dolphins at their facility. All the staff are very knowledgeable, super friendly and dedicated to Island Dolphin Care’s overall vision of respecting and seeking the best life and environment possible for the eight dolphins in their care. You will remember your experience always and fondly.

IDC gave my brother some of the best moments of his life after suffering from a debilitating brain tumor. Sarah (Madame Dolphin) and Bella brought a smile broader than I've ever seen to his face; and gave his wife, Sue and myself the first tears of joy we'd been able to experience in many many months. Although he subsequently passed away, our day at IDC will forever be a memory that brings me peace, joy, and thankfulness.

I am so proud to be a volunteer at Island Dolphin Care! The first moment I entered the IDC lobby I knew I was in a very special place and my initial reaction is confirmed every day I’m there. Everyone is so welcoming, the environment is incredibly positive and the impact the IDC programs have on our participants is heartwarming. I have been privileged to become part of the IDC family and hear firsthand stories of how IDC has helped people personally progress and achieve goals they didn’t think possible. I’ve witnessed families overcome obstacles and share interesting experiences they will be able to reflect upon for years to come. We’d love to share this special place with you! Hope to see you soon!

I began volunteering at Island Dophin Care a little over a year ago. I have been so taken by the dedication of the organization and staff, the amazing purpose that Island Dolphin Care, the dolphins and therapists and families partake in. Quickly my volunteer day became a day of great joy, surrounded by loving families, caring and enthusiastic staff and magnificent dolphins. I truly hope that anyone visiting the Keys would be sure to make a visit to Island Dolphin Care to see first hand all the therapeutic and educational programs that are offered here in this most beautiful and peaceful setting.

Island Dolphin Care is an amazing life changing place. Everyone there was so kind, and knowledgeable. I had the privilege of going not once, but twice, with a young man I love very much, before he passed away. I will never forget watching the love between him and Squirt. God Bless this place, the dolphins, and everyone involved with IDC. Jamie Stearns

An amazing, whole-family healing experience, unique in the world.

Deena, the dolphins, and the whole staff at Island Dolphin Care helped me deal with the passing of my husband. I was able to have my close friends join me and the dolphins in several swims over several weeks. Each swim seemed to build on the previous one. Together, as a mammalian group, we built a safe community for me from which I was able to move forward on my own.

My story with Dolphin Care is now twelve years old. We vacationed there twice when my twins were young. They are now almost fully grown men. When they were small, it was difficult to find activities that would meet both my kids where they were--one child who was typically developing and one child restricted by physical and verbal disability.
Our two visits to Dolphin Care are now sweet memories of a childhood gone. Looking back, I wanted both kids to be engaged and have fun but more importantly I wanted my typical son to see that his life, although made more difficult because of his brother's disability, was also made richer by his brother's disability. Back then, it was his brother's condition that provided him the opportunity to swim with dolphins. Now, on the cusp of turning 18 is the realization that the disability has provided insight into the most essential truths of life. I remember learning that the dolphins go directly toward a person with disability. Maybe they already know what takes humans longer to figure out.

An amazing place with a mission and heart to match. The staff is extraoridnary in the care they show for the dolphins and for all of the children and families who they serve.

This place is an oasis of joy and acceptance. We cant wait to go back.

Island Dolphin Care provided our son and our entire family with an untouchable experience. They made us feel like we were at home from day 1. They took the time to get to know our son with special needs and made accommodations for him. They also made our typical son feel included and like he was just as special. We look forward to returning one day and would highly recommend this experience to all!

I was an intern many years ago at IDC. Through months I followed the incredible work done by IDC therapists, and saw the importance and the difference it made for many children and their families. The experiences I gained participating in the intern program, I will take with me forever, and much of what I learned, I use in my current work with special education. I will be forever grateful for my time at IDC.

My boys have been swimming at IDC for years. Every year is better then the one before. The staff takes the time to learn about each child and truly love my boys. It’s a little slice of heaven on earth. We can’t wait to see you soon !

Wonderful place where I gained a lot of experience!

A MUST! IDC is absolutely everything their website claims it to be! It’s magical, incredible, special, and the most special place you’ll ever experience. Please consider IDC if you have a child with a disability, if you are a veteran or if you want to support this incredible place that is changing families lives every single day.

This place is amazing. They work with children with disabilities and our military veterans. They work with kids from the make a wish program. The story of how they got started is truly inspiring. I highly recommend paying a visit to Island Dolphin Care if you ever get the chance. And you can tell the staff really cares, and are passionate about what they do.

I have to commend the team at Island Dolphin Care.
I attended a therapy session with a group of veterans from Operation Outdoor Freedomon Feb. 5, 2019. It was amazing how from the time we arrived until the end of the day, all our needs were met. The time I Spent with Sarah was one of the most tranquil times in my life, and was more than I could have ever expected. Thank You for all you do.

Great team! We felt like home! Best experience, great specialists and just wonderful people! Taylor is a very talented specialist, my son enjoyed therapy there! I absolutely recommend to all my friends and family!!! It’s a great experience, unbelievable memories and fun!!! Dolphins are adorable and very smart! Thank you for all your hard work! It’s has been a pleasure to visit your place!!!

This facility harbors some of the greatest animals and staff that Iv'e had the pleasure to work with! The therapy speaks for itself and the guests always walk away with smiling faces. Could not be happier as an employee for Island Dolphin Care!

My life is forever changed since working for Island Dolphin Care. The joy I receive from this job is indescribable! Lives are being changed here not only for the child/adult with special needs but for their family as well. My background is clinical-based occupational therapy. I have seen children make more therapeutic progress at Island Dolphin care in 5 days than many children make in months of traditional therapy. In my short 6 months of working here I have experienced a young adult saying hello to her parents for the first time ever using an eye gaze computer, a teenager with ASD learning a fun, efficient way to tie his shoes, some first words and an amazing increase in vocabulary. We provide joy to families with no hope, we provide love to families who may not have a support system, we provide motivation and self-confidence, and lastly we become a second home to all people who enter our facility. I love this place and everyone who enters our doors!

My granddaughter Sophia has epilepsy and is a make a wish kid we were fortunate enough to spend time at dolphin care I cannot say enough about the staff and the experience she had there I have never seen her so engaged and happy the staff are incredible they have a remarkable bond with the dolphins and were absolutely wonderful with Sophia it was such a magical time I hope they continue to do their good work and make a difference in people’s lives Dee Abbott

It has been my pleasure to volunteer with Island Dolphin Care. I have had the opportunity to meet a plethora of diverse families and Veteran's groups throughout my time here. Children and adults alike express big smiles when swimming with the dolphins. It gives me so much joy to be able to experience the moment with each of them.

The classroom aspect provides a foundation of how to use the water session in the classroom. It has been exciting to see many families bond over the classroom session via various therapeutic aspects in creative methods of crafts, games, and other artwork.

I have learned more about marine life education while being here. I plan to use my knowledge to help educate my community when I return as I plan to run for my city's board to help make a difference. Island Dolphin Care has taught me about real issues we daily face in regards to the many dangers marine-life encounters and how we as individuals can work together as a team to be more aware of products we use , to help eliminate waste, and recycle and reuse more. I am so thankful for my experience at Island Dolphin Care as it has personally helped re motivate me to play a bigger role in my community.

Island Dolphin Care gave me the opportunity to experience a unique internship as a therapy assistance. I study Psychology so it was super interesting for me to work with different people with special needs such as autism or cerebral palsy. The team is evidently passionate about their work and is doing an amazing job. I would love to come back and volunteer for a longer time!

I've had an amazing time interning with Island Dolphin Care. The staff has taught me so much about different therapies and about how the dolphins live and aid in therapeutic assistance. The dolphins are so much fun to see every day. There are always fun times to be had when coming to Island Dolphin Care between the weekly barbecues getting to know more about the families and the art activities we do with the kids, we always end up having a great time. Can't wait to come back to visit!

I had the privilege to intern for Island Dolphin Care. It is a great organization made up of compassionate individuals who are professionals in fields such as special education, psychology and therapy. I got to experience first hand the therapeutic benefits animal (dolphin) therapy has on children and adults suffering disabilities and illnesses such as autism, cerebral palsy and PTSD. As an aspiring special educator and animal lover myself, this was a truly amazing experience, and motivated me to continue my studies and find ways to incorporate animal therapy into my own professional goals. I would love to come back to IDC and continue working with dolphins and special needs individuals in the future!

Island dolphin care gave me the opportunity to intern and observe a unique therapy environment. The staff is qualified, and personable. I walked away from the

This is an incredible facility and program! The staff is dedicated to providing the best possible for both dolphins and clients! Amaziand facility where the dolphins live a life of purpose - providing Therapy to individuals, veterans and families with special needs, Mtion and research.

Where to begin! I was told about Island Dolphin Care by a upstanding and well known resident of the Florida Keys. When he found out that we had a home of adopted children that came from hard places, he immediately sent us there. I met with Deena and we became fast friends. She understood where I was coming from and wanted so desperately to help our family. We attended our first week long program in 2011 and I can't even begin to tell you the difference it made in our family. We went on to experience some additional trauma the next year, so IDC invited us back. We have been a few times and plan to return this May. We are beyond grateful and blessed to be part of the iDC family. Deena, Pete, Joe and the rest of the staff are simply amazing!

I was a volunteer at IDC in 2007! The experience I had was incredible because I was given the opportunity to see incredible things happen. To this day, I tell stories about the amazing changes I saw in kids, in only 1 week at IDC. What an amazing place to get away and not forget reality but face it with some extremely welcoming arms (and fins)!

Island Dolphin Care is an amazing place. Many of the families that come here have never seen a dolphin or interacted with one! Their lives are changed forever after they spend time here.
It is truly amazing to see the joy and happiness that they experience here and the fact that they can forget their problems for just a little while. The staff is wonderful and most of the families come back every year, making it their annual vacation. I am very lucky to be part of such a wonderful organization and able to contribute to it's success.

I am amazed by how attentive everyone is to clients, to people coming in from the general public with questions, to the volunteers. They really do care here. And beyond that, the work they do is simply awesome. I look forward to seeing more happy families doing their program.

Island Dolphin Care is the place I found after I retired. The dedication and peace that the staff and volunteers gave to the children, families, the military is what makes it magical. Thank you'

I was an intern here years ago. The staff was built up with some of the most caring and patient people you could find. The children were always so overjoyed to be there, whether in the art class or swimming with the dolphins. Animal assisted therapy is a tough road to maintain and IDC does it brilliantly.

Island Dolphin Care is by far one the best not-for-profit organizations I have had the privilege to work with. Their team is made up of many compassionate, driven people focused on the same goal: to provide an extraordinary therapeutic experience. It is a client-centered and family focused organization that provides week-long therapy programs to individuals with special needs, as well as day programs for U.S. Veterans. I have seen first hand how motivating the therapy sessions are for these individuals and how rewarding the experience is for the whole family. Island Dolphin Care is definitely a must see place in Key Largo. Please consider stopping by for a tour of the facility, and to hear the amazing story about how it all began. I also urge you to consider donating to this worthy cause. Your money will be making a world of a difference to these families.

I am so blessed to volunteer at Island Dolphin Care. I get to personally see how the classroom and Dolphin therapy affects both the special needs clients and the families/caretakers of them. I am retired US Army and seeing the Veteran programs that get our veterans in the water with the Dolphins holds a very special place in my heart. If you know someone who has a special needs family member, please refer them to Islanddolphincare.org and check out the program. If you don't know anyone but still want to help please donate so we can continue to change lives..

As a volunteer at Island Dolphin Care I enjoyed eight years interacting with special needs children and wounded veterans. It has been an uplifting experience for my soul to be able to contribute for this wonderful cause. It is a happy place to go, where people with special needs find comfort, joy and love.

Island Dolphin Care is an amazing place filled with wonderful people who are all striving to make the world a better place. I have seen first-hand just how meaningful this experience can be, and to see a smile on the face of a child who has been through so much is simply priceless. This is a non-profit worth donating your time and money to, and I can assure you it is all going to a wonderful place. IDC is one of the best places on earth!

Island Dolphin Care is a magical place. As soon as you walk in the door a warm feeling and relaxed atmosphere greets you along with smiling faces from staff. There is no second place like this one and I would never like to miss a single minute I got to spend there!

One of the best places in the world. I did an internship in 2004 and it was a great experience! The whole team does a great job. It was a wonderful time with lots of unique moments.

This is the best place in the world for love and caring and has helped my family immensely.

"Call it what you want, i call it love..."
I can still remember the warm and sunny spring day in 1988 when our Michelle was born. As time went by doctors diagonised her with Microcephalie. She won`t be able to sit or to stand without help. She will never be able to eat by her own or even talk. On a late February evening in 1996 i had some time to kill and turned on the television. The presenter even announced a documentation about dolphins and disabled children. During the whole program i had this feeling that someone was pulling my arm saying to me: "Go on. Do it."
On October 28. in the same year Michelle touched dolphin Squirt the very first time. I never heard her laugh like that before and her eyes were beautifully glowing in the sun.
After two weeks of Dolphin Therapy Michelle was like brand new. Not only her hands, her whole body was relaxed. She could hold up her head and this way it was easier for her to focus and with her hands open she could easily hold things with her fingers. And.... she was trying to stand up with my help. Michelle seemed to enjoy herself. It was very difficult to leave Key Largo and the dolphins, but we knew we will come back. We have kept the promise up to now. This fall it will be our 20. return to IDC. Dolphin Therapy is a zest for life. Seeing Michelles eyes lighten up and experience her happiness is such the greatest gift for us.
The therapy center is a magical place. Everyone who goes there finds a wide open door and is welcome wholeheartedly. The time that we spend there is such great precious family time.
This is our own personal story. It might encourage someone out there to fight for change. One thing that I know for sure is that, some of the things happen to our lives had to happen, because they happen for a reason. Some might call it destiny, others bad luck or fate or maybe "bad cards". But even with bad cards you still have a chance to play smart.
That is exactly what Deena (Director of IDC) did. We are so thankful, to have known this wonderful awesome person with the big heart. She let us, together with IDC be a part of her life story, always giving us new impulse and strength and to realize the possibilities we have in us.

I heard about Island Dolphin Care years ago while working at a non-profit development center for infants and toddlers with disabilities in Seattle, so when the opportunity to help at IDC as an intern during their therapy programs came up, I was thrilled. It was an amazing experience for me, which started a wonderful relationship with them and many clients. They have an amazing, gifted staff, and awesome volunteers. Families from all over the world benefit from their program, many on scholarships. Animal assisted therapy can make a huge difference in those with challenging lives, and one of the great things about this program, as compared to other programs I have experienced, is the way they include the whole family, not just the child or adult with challenges. The dolphins are loved, and appear to love their work as much as families love interacting with them and the therapists. This is not simply feel good fluff, this is serious, valuable therapy that has improved many lives.

I was an intern at IDC this past summer! It was the best part of my year, and by far the most amazing place I've had the chance to intern at. This is truly an amazing place and I hope it continues to bless as many people as possible for many years to come!

Best place for dolphin assisted therapy ever.we've been there four times with autistic child from Germany and loved it.

Amazing place much more than you expect . Love,passion,focusing,experience,we love them

IDC truly is the Fun Factory! It brings nothing but joy and smiles into everyones lives who are touched by this magical place. The compassion and love that is shown by the staff and the interns is something that has to be experienced to understand. And being with the goofy and lovable dolphins is the cherry on top of the cake. I completed my internship in 2013 and consider it to be one of the most unique experiences I've ever had, and believe it is a once in a life time opportunity! I love everything about Island Dolphin Care and love to spread the word about it so others can share in this experience!

This is an amazing place with amazing people! Genuinely caring and loving staff who goes the extra mile to make sure needs are met. Staff members are trained in the areas of special needs and work with children from around the world. Nothing is overlooked as each person attending receives individual attention. Every day at Island Dolphin Care is like Christmas day, filled with love, joy, and wonderful surprises!

truly heaven on earth. deena, peter, and joe are amazing! the place is beyond words.

My son has received dolphin-assisted therapy at Island Dolphin Care over the last two years and our experience has been nothing but stellar. The facility is superb, the staff is excellent and the commitment by all to providing a welcoming and loving atmosphere for special needs children to engage and interact in ways that they otherwise find challenging is remarkable. We are huge fans of IDC and are grateful for all it does for the communities it serves.

Island Dolphin Care is truly an amazing and one of a kind of place! I have interned at IDC twice and learned new things each time I was there. I have completed 7 other internships and this place is truly me favorite! The staff are absolutely amazing and know what they are doing! I have never seen them say no your family member can't do this, but instead let's find a way that your family member do do that desired task. I have seen children that were told they can never use augmentative communication devices by home therapists learn how to use it in a 5 day period of time. The therapists do whatever they can to do to help their families as well as their interns from around the world. Each one of the staff walk around with a smile on their face each day and will take time out of their busy schedule to talk to you. To me that is a tell tale sign of how a facility is, based off of their employees happiness. Each family I worked with was happy with their experience and have said they hope to return in the future. As someone that just finished their master's in occupational therapy, I will continue suggesting Island Dolphin Care to families that I meet throughout my career.

I spent at IDC a couple of months, back in 2002, as intern, researching for the final thesys for my Magistral Degree in Clinical Psycholgy. Top amazing time ever. And wonderful staff, too. Couldn't be less, as Deena is a great person, and she surrounds her with great persons. Stunning healing energies. Clinically very suggested.