Excerpts from the German dolphin aid NEWS
SUMMARY - DOLPHIN AID NEWS - EDITION 4/2004
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In her editorial Mrs. Kirsten Kuhnert writes about
one outstanding family who suffered the loss of their little daughter
earlier this year. Even in their darkest hour their hearts have been filled
with compassion and generosity. They donated the money reserved for dolphin
therapy for their little girl to another child in need.
Stern TV in Curacao
For a form of therapy that is not supported
by the sick fund the presence of media is even more so important. Thus
Stern TV accompanied little 8 year old Milko on his trip to Curacao. Earlier
a TV-report had been sent showing how little Milko, who is autistic copes
with life on a daily basis. Many people, who saw this report, were wondering
how Milko's story continues. After the second report about his long trip
to dolphin therapy in Curacao a lot of people sent mails or called the
TV station offering their support for Milko and his family. Nowadays dolphin
therapy is in the lime light. More and more papers, magazines and even
TV stations are interested in this form of therapy and its effect
on patients. Earlier this year ZDF another big TV station out of Germany
accompanied a family to dolphin human therapy in Key Largo. As a result
a lot of families learned about dolphin therapy and might consider this
form of therapy for their loved ones in need.
EVENTS
1.
15 chainsaw carving artists from all over Germany met
from September 10-12 int the town of Bad Liebenwerda in the South
of Brandenburg. During this event they carved beautiful sculptures out
of raw tree trunks. These sculptures had been auctioned on Sunday, which
marked the end of the event. The net profits of 2.780,-- Euro went to
dolphin aid. Due to the success of this event the dolphin aid Chainsaw
Carving Event will be repeated in the month of September 2005.
2.
Since quite some time the fire department of Moenchengladbach
along with many other partners supports our special need children by selling
instruction videos or holding events. Their rescue days in October 2004
attracted more than 10.000 spectators. The fire departments of Koeln,
Bayer Leverkusen, Pulheim and Moenchengladbach as well as the police department
of Moenchengladbach participated in this three day event. The event consisted
of a car show, fire drills, crash stunts and a seminar for emergency doctors
and paramedics.
3.
Irena and the Regenbogenkids will be touring Germany
throughout the month of December. This will be the dolphin aid Christmas
Tour.
If you are planing an event for dolphin aid or if you are planing an event
that at the same time should also serve a good cause we would be
very happy to hear from your. Please do contact us either by phone under
+49 (203)-74 62 80 or by mail under siebert@dolphin-aid.net.
CDCT is the name of the new therapy center in Curacao. dolphin aid helped actively and most importantly voluntarily to bring this center to life. What it meant for the already busy employees of dolphin aid is double the work load, for the medical board more work, for the board of directors long meetings, lots of decisions and more work,. for the managing director the already difficult question of budgeting, for the volunteer travel coordination a lot of headache and even more input, for the sponsor and donors the realization that even more money will be needed even faster. The dolphin center in Curacao was created in order to enable even more children in need to participate in dolphin therapy. Previously sometimes a child had to wait up to several years to be given a place in this program.
Hapag Lloyd cruises
"Dolphins accompany our ships and we accompany
dolphin aid". This is the motto of Hapag Lloyd cruises. From October
12-23 the MS Europa , elected best cruise ship worldwide for the 5th consecutive
year, cruised from Philadelphia to Nassau. Mrs.Kuhnert boarded the ship
in Miami in order to inform passengers on board about the goals of
dolphin aid. From Key West a fairly large group of interested passengers
parted for Key Largo in order to visit the therapy center of dolphin human
therapy. There, on the premises of dolphin cove, Mr.Wolfgang Coym,
managing director of Hapag Lloyd cruises handed Mrs.Kuhnert a check in
the amount of 10.000,-- Euro.
Gut Aiderbichl in Henndorf am Wallersee in Austria is home to more than 400 saved animals. The animals are kept in an idyllic and more than animal friendly environment. For whomever longing for harmony and joy of life one day spent on Gut Aiderbichl can result in a miracle. For more information please visit their web page under www.gut-aiderbichl.com
Tiki Luau - Polynesian Night
Colorful costumes, authentic dances and songs as well
as an extraordinary atmosphere this is the meaning of Tiki Luau.
Thus the motto of the gala of dolphin aid America everybody enjoyed a
beautiful evening of excellent food, shows, tombola and an auction. Our
families that had been in Key Largo during this time had also been invited
to join this event. The gala was entirely sponsored by the beautiful hotel
"The Palm South Beach", where the gala actually had also
been held. As a result the entire proceeds of this evening can be used
for special need children in America.
Dolphin therapy in Mundomar
In this issue one therapist reports personally about
her trip to dolphin therapy in Mundomar-Spain with one child being
treated by her over the last couple of years. Mrs.Jasper-Seelaender writes
that by being there she understood that dolphin therapy is a good addition
to any other form of therapy and that it equally also effects the "spectator"
emotionally. A supporting therapy that should not make us expect miracles.
As mentioned explicitly in our last issue this therapy is being offered
free of charge which is possible through the generosity of the park. A
new center for therapy supported by animals will soon be opened in Ibiza.
There will be a whole package of therapies such as physiotherapy
after Bobath and Vojta, Hippo therapy, "craniosacrale" therapy
and dolphin therapy available. These therapies, however, will not be offered
free of charge. In Mrs.Jasper-Seelaender's opinion it would be of essence
if more therapists would be able to accompany their little patients on
their trip to the dolphins in order to treat them even more sufficiently
upon returning home.
Wake coma
On August 17, 2001 the 33 year old son Michael of
Mr.Wilfried Breer suffered from a cardiac and circulatory arrest.
As a result he falls into a wake coma. His father had to learn that there
is no help and support for relatives of wake coma patients. These patients
are not integrated in the health system. There is no flexible handling
and even less understanding for the problems of the respective relatives.
Based on this experience Mr.Breer founded a self-help-association. They
group is meeting on a regular basis each month. So far more than 70 relatives
of wake coma patients could be helped through information. For more details
please visit the web page: www.wachkoma-hilden.de.
The year 2004 at dolphin human therapy
Since 1989 dolphin human therapy is conducting dolphin
therapy. Since six years the therapy is now performed on the premises
of dolphin cove in Key Largo. Experts in rehabilitation in the fields
of psychology, physiotherapy, ergo therapy and special pedagogics together
with the help of highly trained dolphins are able to make learning fun.
DHT also offers workshops for parents covering a variety of issues as
well as DHT barbecues. These barbecues are being held every two weeks
and are giving parents the chance to meet other parents and their kids
from all over the world in a friendly and relaxing atmosphere. DHT
just recently included singing into their therapy. For this purpose children
are being placed on gymnastic balls in order to exercise their communication
skills, eye contact, recognition of names and colors as well as sensory
integration. There are now two dolphin babies in Key Largo. Leo who is
16 months old and already helps his mum Nicky with therapy and Spunky's
baby meanwhile 13 weeks old.
The year 2004 at dolphin aid
Dolphin aid was found 1995 and will celebrate its 10
year anniversary next year. This year alone 348 children where able
to participate in dolphin therapy through the help of dolphin aid. Dolphin
aid will relentlessly continue to talk to the sick fund and insurances
in order to make the successful dolphin therapy part of the health system.
We are wishing all our readers Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
