Post on 11-Jan-2016
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Nov. 2008 1
“Trainer for a Day”Dolphin Research CenterGrassy Key, Florida
Ty Gumerman
November 20, 2008
Nov. 2008 2
Trainer For A Day
Trainer for a Day Program at Dolphin Research CenterNon-Profit dedicated to research on
Dolphins
Nov. 2008 3
Playing Ball
I am playing with DRC dolphin Tanner.
Nov. 2008 4
Playing Fetch
We are doing retrieving with Tanner. He’s bringing back a nylon frisbee. It was very difficult for him to retrieve because it was slipping off his rostrum.
Nov. 2008 5
Tanner Jumping
Here’s Tanner doing a jump for us. The jumps are very graceful.
Nov. 2008 6
Pax Painting a T-Shirt
Then I met Pax, and he painted a t-shirt for me in light blue and orange.
Nov. 2008 7
Pax’s Painting
This is my t-shirt. What a wonderful artist Pax is.
Nov. 2008 8
Dolphin Stationing
I was doing something called “stationing” with Talon. Stationing means getting their attention.
Nov. 2008 9
Signaling for Speed
Now, I’m giving Talon the signal “Speed”.
Nov. 2008 10
Dolphin Freight Trains
There’s Talon Speeding along! Isn’t he like a freight train?
Nov. 2008 11
Two hand signals
Here we’re stationing again. But this time my dad has to join me.
Nov. 2008 12
Up in the Air Junior Bird Dolphin
What we signaled was “Circle”. Talon is doing a Circle Jump.
Nov. 2008 13
Flying Dolphin
Here’s Talon doing more Circles. He’ll keep doing Circles until I blow on my whistle.
Nov. 2008 14
Dolphin Aerobatics
I signaled for Talon to do a “Twirl”. It’s basically a normal jump but with an Aileron roll (a twist).
Nov. 2008 15
Tail Walk – Getting Ready
Here I’m stationing Talon, getting him ready to do a Tail Walk.
Nov. 2008 16
Tail Walk – the Signal
Here I’m giving Talon the signal to do the Tail Walk. Basically, you put your hand up flat and you push forward.
Nov. 2008 17
Tail Walk – the start
Talon is doing his Tail Walk.
Imagine yourself able to kick your legs in your pool hard enough to push yourself up out of the water and move backwards so fast at the same time.
Nov. 2008 18
Tail Walk – Just About Finished
Talon continued his Tail Walk until he got to his fastest point and then I blew my whistle for him to stop. It’s the same with Circle, except for Circle, you blow it at his highest point.
Nov. 2008 19
Beaching Dolphins
Here’s Talon up on the dock. The trainers teach the dolphins to do this so that they can do things like check their teeth and weigh them.
Nov. 2008 20
Backrub
I’m doing my Dolphin Swim. I am in a wet suit because the water is 70 degrees, and that’s pretty cold. Here I’m giving a backrub to Gypsy.
Nov. 2008 21
Handshakes with Dolphins
I am doing a handshake with Tursi.
Nov. 2008 22
Dolphin Kisses
Here I’m getting a Dolphin Kiss. Their lip bone is very hard, so you put it against your cheek.
Nov. 2008 23
Bobbing Dolphins
Here we’re doing “Imitations”. I am bobbing in the water, and the dolphins do exactly that – they bob up and down in the water.
Nov. 2008 24
Dolphin Ride
Here I am getting a ride with Jax and Tursi. It’s like having two massive freight trains pulling you along behind them.
Nov. 2008 25
Finishing the Ride
The Dolphin Ride was great. And Hey, it’s the first time I’ve done this alone. I was inspired to try to get other people to save dolphins.