Island Dolphin Care (Internship)
During my time at D+ I was given the opportunity to spend a week at IDC.  IDC is a dolphin assisted therapy (DAT) facility.  "IDC provides unique, therapeutic, motivational and educational dolphin-assisted therapy programs, for children with special needs, adults and families, through the use of innovative therapy techniques, which enable participants to discover and achieve desired goals, strengths, and their fullest potential for individual fulfillment."  -Island Dolphin Care Mission Statement, IDC website.

I was given an opportunity to observe a week of therapy along with the clients.  I was able to observe the swim sessions, in-class sessions, assist the IDC interns and take part in what intern work entails.  I was able to spend time with the therapists and understand their responsibilities. 


I was also given the unique opportunity to follow the dolphin trainers that work with the dolphins.  I began to really understand the great lengths that the trainers go through to create the relationships they have with the dolphins.  When I first heard about DAT I was pretty sure that I was good match.  I have a love of dolphins and I love working with children.  My time at IDC only furthered my interest in DAT.  I am extremely thankful for my time spent at IDC.


September 2006 - May 2007
Horses Help (HH - Volunteer & Internship)

I began my time at HH as a volunteer.  However with the help of Robin Miller (HH) and Dr. Elaine Jordan (ASU) I was able to turn my last months with HH into a wonderful internship.  I spent time learning how to groom and care for the animals that were used for the therapy sessions, I was an instrumental member of the "Teams" provided for each student and I thoroughly enjoyed every moment I spent with my fellow volunteers, the instructors and most importantly the student and their families.

"Horses Help utilizes specially trained horses, well-qualified instructors that are certified by North American Riding for the Handicapped Assn. (NARHA), physical and occupational therapists, and community volunteers to form exceptional teams to work with the special abilities population. Riders range in age from three to seniors and represent a wide range of physical and mental disabilities. Participants enjoy weekly sessions to learn riding/driving skills, receive therapy, and enjoy the freedom of activities with THEIR horse. Leaving wheelchairs and walkers behind, these riders control their horse through obstacles and journey where they couldn't otherwise go by themselves."  - Horses Help Mission Statement, HH website.

The volunteers are trained for different members of the students team.  The team consists of the instructor, the horse leader, the coach and the side walker.  The horse leader is a silent partner.  They prepare the horse for the ride, warm up the horse and control the horse during the session.  The coach is the vocal member of the team.  They greet the guardian and student and stay with the student at all times, until the student is returned to the guardian.  They are responsible for communicating the instructions of the instructor.  They are also responsible for communicating all progress and recommendation to the instructor as well as write the session notes for the instructor to review.  The side walker is the silent partner who assists the coach with balance of the student while on the horse.  To assist with the mounting/dismounting of the student.  To help maintain the safety of the student.

I was certified in all members of the riding team except the instructor.  The instructor is NARHA certified (North American Riding for the Handicapped Association).  Sadly during my time at HH I was also working and going to school full-time and I did not have the time needed to complete this certification.

Regardless I learned so much from HH.  I, as well as numerous instructors, felt that I was the strongest as a coach.  "Her (Danielle) creative ideas as a "coach", heartfelt compassion, while entertaining, encompassed our physical and mentally challenged riders all of which was astonishingly effective."  - Louanne Kamienowski, HH Program and Equine Director, certified NARHA instructor (taken from letter of recommendation).

"Nancy (named changed for privacy purposes) was asked to ride (in competition for Volunteer Appreciation Day) and at first she said no.  But we practiced the course, and I walked her through what was going to happen and she decided to ride.  For me.  She said she wanted to win for my last day....When Nancy got there she was a little nervous.  But we talked through the routine and what had to be done.  When we got out there she was AWESOME!....Nancy took first place.  I am so proud of how far, not only Nancy has come as a rider, but how far Nancy and I have come together as a team."  --What I consider to be a payday.

Making A Difference
Danielle Kish
Horses Help Internship, Arizona State University
Spring 2007


February 2003 - June 2005
New England Aquarium (NEAQ - Volunteer)

The NEAQ is dedicated to making known the world of water through education, research, conservation, and exhibition.  They believe in the need "To Present, Promote, and Protect the World of Water".  

There are many different ways in which a person can volunteer at the NEAQ, I was in the education department.  The education department mission statement is to develop, evaluate and deliver innovative, high quality educational programs suitable for a diverse audience.  As a volunteer in this department we were responsible for having knowledge of all areas of the aquarium and be able to extend our knowledge to the guests at the NEAQ.

A volunteer in the education department is required to do interpretations of Edge of the Sea, Giant Ocean Tank (GOT), Aquarium Medical Center, Learning Lagoon, and any Live Animal Presentations (LAP).  I am also very proud of my contributions in helping to improve all the learning areas and the activities that are held within them.  I am also very proud of becoming certified in all ways I was given an opportunity too.  I was also certified in the sea lion exhibit which was outside the realm of the education department.

A LAP consists of bringing an animal out for the guests at the NEAQ to get a closer look.  In order to be certified for a LAP, a person must spend time observing the animal, read research provided by the NEAQ, create your own personal presentation of the animal and need to present this to the public with a staff member present for critique.  When I left the NEAQ I was certified in lobsters, sea stars/sea urchins, horseshoe crabs and all other animals used for LAP's.

The requirements to do a GOT talk far exceed those of doing LAP's.  This is  due to the high volume of animals located in the GOT.  The GOT contains 200,000 gallons of water, a lifelike coral reef, over 650 fish (125 species), turtles and sharks.  In order to be certified a person needs to be able to identify all species of turtles and sharks as well as 25 different species of fish.

While doing a GOT, talk one is also answering a multitude of questions that the guests might have.  This certification takes time to complete.  It is amazing to stand on the platform that sits over the opening of the tank and provide such a wide range of information to the guests.  I was very proud when this certification was completed.


Comments on Internships

Everyone has a dream at some point in their lives.  I have had the same dream of working with dolphins since I was four.  While the type of work has changed over the years, the animal has not.  My experience at NEAQ gave me my first hands on with the animals of the sea.  My time there was well spent.  It was amazing to learn so much and be able to share that with the adults, teens and children that came through the NEAQ's doors.

My time at HH was also a blessing.  I watched a young girl grow through her training at HH.  When she first got on the horse she could barely sit up on her own.  By the end of the riding season in 2006 she was riding with minimal assistance.  Because of my consistency in volunteering, I worked with the same four students every week.  It was an honor to be part of their accomplishments.  It was also one of the most gratifying experiences when a parent/guardian would approach me and tell me how much they appreciated what I did and how their child bonded with me.  

One of my favorite students was a rambunctious thirteen year old who, while it took some time, challenged me to make her ride interesting.  A typical teenager with physical challenges but bright as a light bulb.  This position helped me to realize that I love helping and working with others.  I am good at it.

While these two facilities helped me to grow, D+ and IDC were a dream come true.  Interning at these two facilities made me realize that my dream could become a reality.  I have had a fear that I would get the chance to work with these magnificent animals and that my passion would fade, that did not happen.  I realized that this was the only thing I wanted to do.  All I wanted was to work with dolphins.

These animals, up close, are more precious than I ever thought.  I was even forced to take a day off during my time there, I would have spent everyday there if I was allowed.  There were moments when I just sat in the silence of the day and listened to the sounds of the dolphins coming up for breath.  Those were moments of pure calm.  I even had the privilege of spending time at the facility when it was dark and listening to the calm of the water, the breath of the dolphin and the serenity of the night.  These are the moments I remember when I need to find peace.


I am grateful to all the opportunities I have been given to explore and realize my dreams.


Thank You New England Aquarium, Horses Help, Island Dolphin Care and Dolphins Plus!