A dolphin named Molly, who is in
her early 50's, leaps out of the water while working with trainers.
Molly isn’t the only one learning from these sessions, which also
include the first five students in the center’s College of Marine
Mammal Professions.
The 36-week program that yields
an Associate of Science Degree in Marine Mammal Behavior, Care and
Training is the only one in the U.S. that teaches hands-on training
and care of marine mammals, according to the International Marine
Animal Trainers’ Association
Molly, who is in her early 50's
is given water through a tube by a trainer
Senior trainer Kelly Jayne
Rodriguez gives a kiss to Karen, a blind and aging sea lion, during
a training session. The center’s degree is an expansion on its
week-long dolphin lab program that started in
1985.
Students with the College of
Marine Mammal Professions place their hands on Karen, a blind and
aging sea lion
Karen, a blind and aging sea
lion, follows senior trainer Kelly Jayne Rodriguez for a training
session at the Dolphin Research Center in the Florida Keys,
Fla.
Kirsten Donald, education
director at the Dolphin Research Center, teaches a class at the
center in the Florida Keys, Fla
Senior trainer Kelly Jayne
Rodriguez, left, works with a dolphin named Molly
