Training Dolphins Furthers Career

by Carissa Hernandes
4.17.07

The sound of dolphins swimming, splashing and talking fills the air around junior Katie Dodge as she slips into the pool. She waits patiently as one of the dolphins swims over to her. Lifting her hand to her face, she makes a signal and the dolphin lets out a
high-pitched squeal. This was Dodge’s first up-close encounter with the marine creatures at Sea World in San Diego.

Dodge went to Sea World in San Diego about two years ago and trained dolphins as part of Sea World’s Dolphin Interaction Program. She learned about dolphins and the many aspects of training them.

“I’ve been interested in marine biology since seventh
grade,” Dodge said. “My family has always said I have a big heart and at first I wanted to go into nursing, but I loved animals so much that it pushed me in this direction. When I went to Sea World, I decided to take a chance and try something new.”

Dodge and the other participants learned the signals necessary to train the dolphins and the dos-n-don’ts
of dolphin safety. Then they were allowed to swim and play with the dolphins in a tank.

The encounter gave Dodge a wealth of memories that will last a lifetime.

“The trainers told us to go stand by this wall,” Dodge said. “Then they whistled and the dolphins swam away and came back and splashed us. We had no idea, and we got soaked.”

The experience was not only fun but it also taught her many things about herself as well as life.

“It reinforced how much I wanted to go into marine biology,” Dodge said. “Also it teaches you discipline
and to care about something other than yourself.”

Dodge’s adventure in dolphin training encouraged her to continue to pursue other experiences in marine biology. Sea World offers many camps to people of all
ages. Dodge is set to go to one of their summer resident camps next summer. She will learn to train a variety of marine animals including sharks, dolphins and penguins.

Dodge has high hopes for her upcoming trip to Sea
World.

“I hope it will be really fun,” she said. “Also I hope
I get a lot out of it. I want to learn more about marine animals, like dolphins, and their behavior, not just about how to train them. I want to also get first-hand experience that puts me ahead so that someday I can go into this field.”

Reasons other than studying the animals are making Dodge excited about her approaching journey.

“I am excited to meet other people from around
the nation and the world that share the same interests as me,” Dodge said. “Also I’ve never been this far from home for this long.”

Through her past experience, Dodge’s love for animals and marine biology has continued and grown.

With this new adventure on the horizon, it stands poised to leap to new heights.

“I like the feeling I get knowing that I am helping animals,” Dodge said.