Dolphin Internship
Hi All,
At Dolphin World we get so many request about internships and working in a dolphin facility but unfortunately we need to tell the hopeful future Dolphin Handler that Dolphin World is a tour company and we do not own any dolphins. Today, I talked with a nice intern at the Miami Seaquarium and she told me a little about herself and the internship. From my experience, many dolphin handlers do not have Marine Biology degrees but the one thing they all have in common is a love for dolphins. In fact, this intern, sorry I did not get her name, told me she graduated from Florida International University with a communication degree but loved dolphins.
She felt a strong calling to be with the dolphins and pursued that dream. She found what she needed to know from the Miami Seaquarium website. The Animal Training Internship with Marine Mammals is exactly what she wanted, good training, pay, and a great environment to be with the dolphins. This position requires the following qualification:
College degree; enrolled in college or university. Interns must be able to work full-time, 40 hours per week, for 4 months. This internship requires heavy lifting of up to 50lbs on a daily basis. Candidates must be physically fit and SCUBA certification is REQUIRED at time of application submission. There is no housing available. < Read More>
(A Dolphin Handler Training a Dolphin)
But one thing I have learned over 13 years in this business, is that you better have been with the dolphins in some sort of Dolphin Encounter program, Trained or Wild. Whether it is with Dolphin World or not, does not make a difference. Just to give an example why, one time we took a women on our Dolphin Swim Tour to the Florida Keys. All this women kept saying how much she loved dolphins and could not wait to kiss one. Well, when we got to the dolphin facility, she insisted on kissing the dolphin. The Dolphin Handler helped make her dream come true and she gave the dolphin a BIG SMOOCH on the mouth. The women jumped back with that face of disgust and spat out of her mouth because she did not realize that the dolphin was very salty and not what she expected. In fact she did not like salt water at all and it was not a very great experience for her. She was not a good candidate for a future handler. So make sure you have experienced one dolphin swim program before you go any further seeking this as a career. 
Is there anyone out there, who would like to share their story of trying to be a dolphin handler? Or any words of wisdom for future dolphin handlers?
Have a great day!!
God Bless,
John
February 27th, 2008 at 2:13 pm
Hallo,
I am very interested in Dolphins and would like to find my first step in dolphins world.
please send me more information which can be abel to help me.Thank you
March 6th, 2008 at 2:47 pm
Hi Abdullah,
Go to
http://www.miamiseaquarium.com/visitor_info/jobs.asp#
for more information what is required.
I hope you live out your dream and become a dolphin handler.
All the best on your journey!!
God Bless,
John
July 3rd, 2008 at 10:09 pm
I don’t know who is going to see this or even hear me in this but I am like lots of others who have been touched by the existence of dolphins and animals in general for that matter. I recently went to the miami sea aquarium and feeling connected to the dolphins and the whale is an understatement. When I saw the dolphins all I could feel was this joy and the feeling that they could hear me and understand me. I feel this with lots of animals.
I was so happy when I saw the woman who works with the whale there. I could see the clear beautiful relationship they had and all I could think about was how happy she must be and how lucky she is to be blessed to have a relationship with a whale in their lifetime.
I was raised on a farm and my connection to animals is part of who I am.
All I could think of when I was at the sea aquarium was to be in the water with the dolphins would be the easiest most natural thing for me and to have that kind of relationship with a dolphin would be one of the most beautiful processes in the world. I don’t know if I will ever get to be an intern or work with the dolphins but I am going to try.
Just thought I’d put this out there.
Aimee
July 4th, 2008 at 10:50 am
Hi Almee,
I am glad you enjoyed your time at the Miami Seaquarium. All I say, I would recommend that you try swimming with the dolphins in Miami before you commit to a internship. You need to make sure you have the same passion after your dolphin swim. While you are at the dolphin swim in Miami, ask the trainer about their career and what they do. Then after you are done, you can decide whether to pursue the internship or not.
Have fun on the journey!!
God Bless,
John
July 14th, 2008 at 10:26 am
hi
I am a huge fan of marine life and i am currently studying to become a marine biologist. My concern is that i live in montreal, canada and there are no real internships that have got me interested like this one. I would want to know if it could be possible for me to apply. I would very much love to be able to experience this and hope to have some answers soon.
thank you
eliane
February 19th, 2010 at 2:06 am
I love dolphins they are my favourite animal, I really would love to work with dolphins. I dont have the schooling that might be needed to help get me started is there anyway I can still get an intership or work without the schooling?
thanks,
Tiffany
March 13th, 2010 at 7:24 am
Hi Tiffany,
You can contact Dolphin Encounters in Nassau Bahamas and you can intern there without any marine science schooling but you would need to pay for your time there. You would pay for 1 week at a time, plus you would need to pay for your living expenses too. It would be a great opportunity if you have the money.
God Bless,
John