(Entertainment-NewsWire.com, November 20, 2012 ) Orlando, Fl -- A left-handed dolphin held the key to helping a 3-year-old boy regain the ability to move an arm left paralyzed by a stroke.
The story of the encounter between Fonzi the dolphin and the boy began when Joe Hoagland’s parents moved to Key Largo in 1990. A stroke had paralyzed the left side of Joe’s body, and they were seeing little progress from therapy.
Joe’s father, Peter Hoagland, was looking to take his son to a pool. They went to a facility that offered swimming with dolphins and asked whether they could use the water.
“They took Joe on one of the floating docks here and this amazing dolphin named Fonzi popped up in front of Joe and did his dolphin thing,” Peter Hoagland told WFSU. “And Joe laughed and giggled for what seemed like the first time in forever.”
Joe returned with his mother, Deena Hoagland, to see Fonzi several times a week. Deena Hoagland, who is a therapist, saw the potential to help Joe.
“Even though Joe’s left arm was bent and tucked up to his chest, and his hand was fisted, paralyzed, my wife would say things like, ‘Joe, if you want to feed Fonzi, you have to feed him with your left hand. He’s a left-handed dolphin,’” Peter Hoagland said.
At first, Joe said he could not do it, but his wife pressed Joe to keep trying, said Hoagland.
“It took weeks and months, but Joe finally could hold a fish and straighten out his arm and feed Fonzi,” Peter Hoagland said.
Deena Hoagland started a program enabling other children with special needs to interact with dolphins. The nonprofit Island Dolphin Care opened in 1997, near the facility where Joe met Fonzi, offering dolphin-assisted therapy. About eight families a week take part in the program. Before the children get into the water, therapists meet with the families.
“We create opportunities for people all over the world and touch so many families’ lives on so many different levels that it’s just truly an honor and a privilege,” Peter Hoagland said.
Island Dolphin Care extended its program to wounded veterans three years ago.
About Florida Dolphin Tours: Florida Dolphin Tours (http://floridadolphintours.com/) is an online resource for sightseeing tours and excursions in Central Florida. Visitors can find out about a variety of tour packages, transportation and tours and excursions including Disney World, Universal Studios and SeaWorld. People also can view photo galleries and check accommodations at the website along with finding out how to swim with dolphins Orlando and sightseeing trips.
