The International Marine Animal Association also known as IMATA is one of the most dedicated organizations involved in advancing the humane care and handling of marine animals by fostering communication between professionals that serve marine animal science through training, public display, research, husbandry, conservation, and education.”

This organization has a critical role in multiple facets of dolphin swim organizations, including researching their treatment and overall quality of life of the animals.  These people in a nut shell make sure the dolphins are treated well in all conditions and facilities.

“IMATA is dedicated to providing and advancing the most professional, effective, and humane care of marine animals in all habitats.”

IMATA provides opportunities for marine animal trainers to exchange and disseminate current knowledge, research and training information in both professional and social settings. In addition, IMATA maintains a positive public image by preparing its members to act as ambassadors of the marine animal community.

Every year these people meet annually to discuss important reform and changes and the general advancement of the organization. This video shows the 37th Annual IMATA conference in Atlanta Georgia.

In essence if you are looking to become a professional dolphin trainer, this is an excellent place to start.

Within marine science related courses lie many exciting and challenging jobs ranging from a marine animal trainer to a zoo keeper or from an oceanographer to an environmental scientist.

Categories to choose from, range from Marine Biology, Oceanography, Zoology, Ecology, to Animal Behavior, Veterinary Medicine, Regulatory careers, Marine animal training. The list is extensive, and the career opportunities vast. But the competition is steep, you have to get involved relatively early and relatively quickly to get the proverbial foot in the door.

Internship and volunteer work are all good ways of getting that much need3ed early experience, and will make you stand out on your initial application.

Overall this Organization embodies the core values necessary and the reputation required to truly make a difference in the Marine life community on all fronts. This is where your first steps into the world of training swimming Dolphins will happen, and empower a promising future of you as a trainer and a contributor to the Marine life community.

Check out their official website for more details on how you can make a difference in your future today.

How many out there are interested in becoming a Dolphin Trainer or joining an organization like this?
God Bless,
John

You may be wondering if you work in marine mammal or animal care field what kind of work could you find. Well there is all sorts of possibilities and I plan to list a few work options here to help you on your search.

Working with a Dolphin

There are few industry that hire,  Animal Care Employers, Government Agencies, Teaching Institutions, and General Industry.

Animal Care Employers:

• Zoos, Aquariums, and Marine Parks
• Museums
• Foundations and Organizations

Putting Together the Fish Buckets for the Dolphins

Government Agencies:

• Bureau of Land Management
• U.S. Department of Agriculture
• Environmental Protection Agency
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
• National Park Service
• National Science Foundation

Teaching Institutions:

• Colleges and Universities
• Community and Junior Colleges
• Technical Schools
• Elementary, Junior High and High School

General Industry:

• Development of Products for Agriculture
• Biotechnology
• Pharmaceutical Sales and Production
• Life Support / Water Quality
• Filtration System Equipment

I hope I did not miss any careers. Can you think of any other working opportunities to add to this list?
God Bless,
John

You may be looking to become a dolphin trainer or know someone who wants to become a dolphin trainer. Well, here is a story about what is entailed to become a Dolphin Trainer.

To become a dolphin handler is a very competitive field to get into and your college education is a big plus to get you into this field as you will see from this story. I would highly recommend that you at least try the swim with the dolphin program to see that your really enjoy these beautiful animals and the salt water that they reside in. There have been so many times, I have seen someone get into the water with the dolphins and they don’t really like salt water, the taste, the feel or how it can sting their eyes. Just that experience alone can deter someone from entering this career. Plus if you participate in the dolphin swim, you can talk with the trainers one on one and ask plenty of questions about the field. This can be invaluable

< Read this story on how to become a Dolphin Trainer >

Also, read our blog post in our old site, where there have been lots of comments < Read it>

Any comments from you about entering this field or dreaming to be in the field? We would love to hear from you!
God Bless,
John

You may have thought about working with dolphins but may have a hard time with thought of dolphins being in captivity. Well, this story shows how one career working with captive dolphins can lead to helping wild dolphins.

This story of Liz Slooten who worked with Captive dolphins for many years and how now she is helping wild dolphin in New Zealand.

Her story starts with….

Prof Slooten (51), who emigrated to New Zealand in 1977 at the age of 19, discusses with John Gibb the first job she gained as a young woman.

This job, which was to change her life, was at a marineland in Harderwijk, 50km east of the Dutch capital, Amsterdam.

“My first job was at a marineland with captive dolphins. < Read More >

What do you think of Liz Slooten story? If you had the choice, would you work with Captive Dolphins or Wild Dolphins? I would like to hear your opinion.
God Bless,
John

You may the type that wants more than just swimming with the dolphins in Bahamas. You may want to explore a career in this wonderful field of Marine Science and become a dolphin trainer.

Well, if that is you, then you may want to invest and pay a reasonable price for this experience and training.  You can get as many weeks as you feel are necessary to move forward in this career. The dolphin program in Nassau Bahamas is the one of the best facilities around and you can be reassured a great education here.

The internship will give the following:

• Valuable work experience to put on your resume. You will need work experience because this field is extremely competitive to get a position.
• Exposure to a variety of career interest, including marine science education, training, public speaking, and veterinary medicine.
• If you do well, You may get hired here in Nassau. This an opportunity for this employer to select a new employee with proven skills and interest.
• You can get work-study credit or research project support

To find out the cost and what is needed. Please open and print the following PDFs.

Course Outline / Brochure < Click Here >
Application < Click Here >

If you decide to do this, please let me know? Also, has anyone out there done this internship in Nassau? If yes, please write about your experience here.
God Bless,
John