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

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.