About us:
Council
Parent Council
Our Parent Council is an important point of contact for those seeking help. The Council members are in the same situation and they can empathize with the families. They know their fears, but also the hopes and expectations associated with taking part in a dolphin-assisted therapy. Their experiences in the therapy centers help other parents come to a decision. We are very happy our Parent Council is so dedicated to the cause. The motto here is: “Parents helping parents!”.
Meet some of the parents in our Council. They all are ready to support you with their advice and assistance.
Note: Members are listed in alphabetical order with brief background and contact information.
Sandra Boßert
Information about:
Curaçao
Contact:
cdkl5@web.de
“I am Sandra and mother of twins, a healthy boy and a girl with a genetic defect. My daughter was born with a spontaneous mutation, the CDKL5 gene defect. The genetic defect made itself felt in the sixth week of her life with epileptic seizures. The seizures are currently well controlled with medication. My daughter has a profound developmental disorder due to the genetic defect. She doesn’t speak, she doesn’t walk and has limited crude and fine motor skills.
My daughter is only in the here and now at times. Her perception of the environment is not constant. Despite all possible therapies, it was clear to me that real progress can only be made with basic perception. So, I came across the dolphin therapy on Curacao and read through the evaluation reports and was thrilled.
The twins were born in 2017 and we were on Curacao for the first time in May 2022. For my daughter the dolphins were the key to progress and the therapists on Curacao were the door opener. I received a completely changed daughter, which was a great gift to me. For the first time she has been observing the course of action and communicating with me much more intensively. Instead of a handful of steps, she now walks up to 50 steps by hand. She now uses new vowels.
I believe in miracles and wish you the same magic. Everyone is valuable and deserves a real chance in life.”
Auguste Debole
Information about:
Florida
Address:
Munich
Contact:
Gusti.debole@arcor.de
“Our 2nd child was born as a very small (450g) premature baby. Massimiliano is blind, has developed spastic hemiparesis on the left at the age of 2 and a mental developmental disorder.
We were in Florida for the 1st time in 2005 at IDC. The success was overwhelming. 2006 then the 2nd time and since then every 2 years. Massimiliano has benefited greatly from these therapies and we as a family as well. Through the intensive work, Massimiliano was able to develop a lot of self-confidence. He has learned things which his treating doctors didn`t expect. The IDC was always there for us (even between our visits).
I am happy to help other affected families through our positive experience.”
Dorota Hahn
Information about:
Curaçao
Contact:
dorota.hahn@gmx.de
T: +49 (0) 175 7424245 (from 7 pm)
“I am the happy mother of two grown-up sons and my son Paul, who lives with Coffin-Siris syndrome. Together with my husband Adam and our foster daughter, who suffers from cystic fibrosis, we form a happy and life-affirming family.
In July 2024, we had the opportunity to experience dolphin therapy with Paul for the first time in Curaçao – an unforgettable experience that brought us even closer together as a family. We firmly believe that every day is a gift, and we face challenges with love, courage and a large portion of optimism.
If you have any questions about dolphin therapy or would like to know how you can raise funds, please feel free to contact me. I look forward to speaking to you and am happy to help!”
Agnes Herzog
Information about:
Curaçao
Address:
Düsseldorf
Contact:
agnes@business-health-coach.com
T: +49 (0) 173 6899990 (from 7 pm)
“My daughter Karolina is a special child. I accompany her during her development which has, from our point of view, become more constructive, successful and special with the help of dolphin assisted therapy. I would like to give all families the courage and energy to make this beautiful experience of dolphin assisted therapy.”
Mandy Laroussi
Information about:
Curaçao
Contact:
m.laroussi@t-online.de
T: +49 (0) 178 5268827
“Dear parents, dear team,
I`m very excited to be now part of this great non-profit organization. First, I would like to introduce my family to you. We are a small, sometimes chaotic family, consisting of my husband Robert, our wonderful boys Louis and Henri, as well as me, Mandy.
Our youngest son was born with trisomy 21, better known as down syndrome. In addition to that he has some other health issues: a double heart defect, kidney transport disorder, severe muscle hypotonia, a perception deficit and he is developmentally delayed.
In June 2022 we had our first animal-assisted dolphin therapy on Curacao, and it was an indescribable experience for all of us. We would like to share our experience with you. It doesnt matter whether its about questions regarding the organization, or about traveling with a disabled child, or what awaits me on site. I`m happy to help where I can.”
