How Fun is That?


People interacting with dolphins

Alex Rickert, Ann and Emily with Tanner and friend. Photo from Dolphin Research Center

A dolphin named Tanner whistled wheezy squeals as Emily Guarino, Administrative Director of Research, explained the research games we would ask him to play.  Maybe because the sound came from his blowhole instead of his mouth, I couldn’t be sure where it came from.  Emily said that the sound is associated with high levels of dopamine, meaning Tanner was indisputably HAPPY.

Photo from Dolphin Research Center

Photo from Dolphin Research Center

He was excited to play research games with me.

Imagine my dopamine level.

Many thanks to the dedicated staff at Dolphin Research Center who engineered that joy-fest.


About breathtakebyways

Ann Williams’ travel articles have appeared in publications all over the country including The Washington Post, Roads to Adventure, and Jack and Jill. Between researching and writing books, she specializes in creative lectures.