Effects of the interaction with dolphins on physical and mental conditions of the elderly

The effects of animal-assisted therapy (AAT) on the physical and physiological health of old people have been well known. In general, dogs, cats and small animals have been used at the AAT for seniors. In this study we tried to clarify physical and mental effects of the interactions of old people and dolphins, with ten people aged from 50 to 60. The blood pressure and the heart rate were measured with a hemodynamometer before and after the activity with the dolphins. The psychological test was performed at the same time, using the Multiple Mood Scale. The results show that the positive emotions of the subjects were increased significantly, with concomitant decreases in the negative emotions. The means of the blood pressures were increased before approaching to dolphins and decreased gradually after the interaction with dolphins. These findings indicate that interactions with dolphins have a relaxed effect upon both mental and physical states of the participants in a short time.