These marine mammals can dive up to several hundred feet and stay underwater for up to half an hour. But dolphins don't stop to perch. They never come to shore. They are always aware, and always moving. Understanding this, it is difficult to imagine the tragedy of life in captivity for these ocean creatures.
Advocates claim educational, recreational and therapeutic motivations.
Interactions last between 20 minutes and an hour and many programs offer video-taped documentation of the experience. Most programs allow swimmers as young as 10 years of age to participate. The United States has three SWTD facilities in Florida, one in Hawaii, and others have begun in facilities across the country. However, there is no evidence that interacting with dolphins has any greater therapeutic effect than interacting with domesticated animals, such as puppies, kittens, or farm animals. There is no need to imprison wildlife to benefit humans.