Fulfill your dreams of taking care of dolphins, otters and more at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium for the Dolphin and Animal Care Assistant Program!
For those who do not know about Clearwater Marine Aquarium in Clearwater, Florida check out my review of the aquarium here! Most know this amazing place as being the home of Hope and Winter, the dolphin stars of the Dolphin Tale movies. The aquarium is also a film location where these films were (partially) filmed. When I found out you could participate in taking care of the stars of the movies and more, I knew I had to check it out for myself! Let’s look into the Trainer For A Day program and see what all I got into!
The program, which is now called the Dolphin and Animal Care Assistant program gives you a backstage look and hands-on experience to help take care of pelicans, otters, and dolphins. The cost of this program depends on the time of the year but starts out at $325.00 a person. The program, which lasts around 3 hours, gives you the chance to assist Animal Care Specialist staff members during one training and feeding session with Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, one training and feeding session with North American river otters, and one training session with their Great white pelican.
The program also gives you a good perspective on what it takes to care for and maintain the aquarium on a day to day basis. Some of the other things you do help with food preparation, animal enrichment, record keeping, and even helping make an EED (Environmental Enrichment Device) for Hope and Winter!
The program comes with a towel, bag, photo and admission to the aquarium that day! I would highly recommend the Dolphin and Animal Care Assistant Program for a few different groups: If your a lover of Dolphin Tales, love animals and want to get a unique and up-close look at these amazing animals, or are thinking of going into a field where you take care of animals. This program is fun, educational, and honestly life-changing!
I had an amazing time helping take care of the stars of Dolphin Tale including Hope and Winter and my personal favorite Rufus the pelican!!! I want to thank the staff at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium for helping to make my childhood dreams of becoming an animal trainer (just for a day) come true!
To learn more about the Dolphin and Animal Care Assistant Program at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium and to book this once in a lifetime experience for yourself, make sure you check out their website here!
Jason Mayhew
My name is Jason Mayhew, and I am the owner of OFF On The Go. When not traveling with the website, I own my own marketing and PR company, J Mayhew Marketing. I have the best job where I get to travel the world and showcase the most amazing and unique experiences!