WILLEMSTAD - At the invitation of the Curaçao Dolphin Therapy & Research Center (CDTC), a total of 14 local children with disabilities were delighted with a dreamlike encounter with the dolphins and an extensive tour through the Sea Aquarium. Recently, a group of seven children with their parents and two supervisors of Autism Aid Foundation and seven from Fundashon Verriet visited the dolphin therapy center. A unique and valuable experience for the children, parents, and the team of the CDTC!
The CDTC, is located in the Sea Aquarium Park and has been offering a 10-day intensive therapy program with dolphins since 2004, especially for families from Europe with a child with a mental or physical disability. This could include children with autism, Down syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, ADHD and many other developmental and congenital disorders.
Over the years, more and more adults have also participated in the program and have shown successful results in treating adults and children with cancer and PTSD.
A team of highly trained therapists in collaboration with the dolphins offer a tailor-made therapy program for the whole family. The family members of a child or adult with a disability are also an active part of the program to achieve sustainable development in family and child.
In the past, the CDTC team has been able to treat families living in Curaçao several times, at a reduced “local rate”. In addition to the 10-day therapy program, the CDTC also offers the possibility, especially for children and adults with a disability, to meet the dolphins under the guidance of a therapist or an introductory session to get acquainted with the intensive therapy program.
Due to the corona crisis, a center was no longer allowed to receive families from abroad from March 16 to participate in the therapy program. Where the therapy places are usually fully booked well in advance, this time presents an excellent opportunity to offer something incredibly beautiful to the children with a disability in Curaçao. For example, the CDTC has gladly offered its programs free of charge to introduce the children to the dolphins and so also the therapy program.
