During the 20th Century the navies of Russia and the United States carried out extensive maneuvers with dolphins, who acted as underwater couriers for the navy. Generally, dolphin missions were affixing bombs to enemy ships. In October 2000 Russia retired most of their dolphins. These Russian navy dolphins now swim with sick children, to help them recover from their illness. Recent studies have shown that dolphins have remarkable curing powers, especially with small children.
Dolphins are sociable, and dolphins are very protective of their families and young.
Dolphins are also known to be guides and protectors of people. There are many well documented stories throughout history that tell of ancient mariners who are guided to shore or safety by dolphins. Dolphin insignias were commonly used on ancient ships for protection. Modern ships such as Jacques Cousteau's Calypso research vessel, also used the dolphin as their ship's insignia. The Roman historian Pliny the Elder, tells the story of a boy who rode the back of a dolphin called Simo.