The United States is home to several dolphin training schools.
Dolphins are sociable mammals that appear to utilize a highly-developed communication system, making them easily trainable. Dolphin training is primarily done to create elaborate shows at world-wide aquatic amusement parks, but dolphins are also trained to perform simple tasks at zoological parks, such as maintaining a position for a medical exam. Training also helps researchers learn about the animals.
The Dolphin Research Center
The Dolphin Research Center is located in Grassy Key, Florida. It is a nonprofit education facility that is dedicated to learning from the dolphin species and teaching these lessons to benefit both humans and dolphins. Here, dolphins are trained to increase human awareness of their developmental process and not for use in animal parks or zoos. More than half of the marine animals located at this center were born within the institution, while other members have been rescued from different facilities. The center has been working since 1984 on a number of cognitive and behavioral research projects such as blindfold imitation, object permanence and predictability of dolphin behaviors during swimming.
ABC Animal Training
ABC Animal training offers its students two unique options in dolphin training classes, the academy basic and the advanced course. The academy advanced course is a five-day hands-on workshop with Dolphin Discovery training staff. Here, students will learn advanced techniques used to train dolphins. The experienced and qualified instructing staff teach complex dolphin-training techniques. Prerequisites include one year experience training animals or the successful completion of the basic ABC Dolphin Trainer Academy. The basic academy course is designed to give students the skills needed for a career in the dolphin training field. Unlike the advanced program though, the majority of learning is based on animal training DVD's and study learning material. Few interactive dolphin teaching experiences are given, but the course does include a swim with dolphin experience.
The Moorpark College Exotic Animal Training Program
The Moorpark College Exotic Animal Training Program in Moorpark, Californina provides students with a two-year exotic animal training program. With this degree most students are able to be placed within a dolphin training facility, though some employers also require a four-year degree. Dolphin trainers are typically required to speak publicly, therefore speech classes are usually required. Swimming is another area of focus because swimming tests are common for entry-level employment at most zoos, animal parks, oceanariums and government facilities.
University of California at Santa Cruz (Long Marine Lab)
The University of California, Santa Cruz offers courses in marine science research and education. This university program is set within the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, the nation's largest marine sanctuary. The Long Marine Laboratory is known for its innovative marine mammal research with dolphins in areas including diving physiology, bioacoustics, physiological ecology, general training programs and marine animal cognition.
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