The Inside Scoop on Dolphins from a SeaWorld Dolphin Trainer

Today, Jaclyn works hard managing the SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment vacations program and is solely responsible for all of the amazing content you see on VAX for her brands (SeaWorld, Discovery Cove, Busch Gardens and Sesame Place). She enjoys her current responsibilities tremendously, and loves the end result of being able to put exciting products into your hands for your clients to enjoy.

But how Jaclyn got to this point in her life is a very interesting story…let’s step back.

For as long as Jaclyn can remember, dolphins have been her favorite aquatic animal. (For the record, cats are her favorite land animal). She knew as a young child she would one day work with dolphins. She received a bachelor of science in psychology from Michigan State University. Growing up, she was always told that she needed a marine biology degree, but after further investigation, psychology turned out to be highly recommended and, in her opinion, the perfect background for dolphin training. After all, it’s the study of behavior! Before she even graduated, she began her quest to get her foot in the door at SeaWorld. She grew up visiting both the Ohio and Florida parks and knew that this was the place for her.

A group of dolphins is called a pod. Pods usually have anywhere from 2 to 30 dolphins.

So on her last spring break, she drove from Michigan to Florida to interview for any job that they would hire her for. She was lucky enough to land a job in the education department and they needed her to start just five days after college graduation. While working, she began other endeavors to beef up her resume and help her learn more about her coveted career. She volunteered at a couple of different wildlife facilities and completed her SCUBA and CPR certifications. Finally the day came that she was able to apply for an open position at Discovery Cove and soon interview and swim test…and shortly thereafter, she received the phone call that all of her hard work had paid off. She had landed her dream job!

Dexter and Jaclyn sharing an inside joke.

Jaclyn most enjoyed the unique relationship she formed with each dolphin she worked with. She noted that they are individually as different as you and I. They are very intelligent. They learn to recognize different signals, cues and behaviors and catch on very quickly. Not only do they learn from us, but they do a lot of observational learning from the other dolphins. They have excellent hearing, but our voices tend to be on the lower end of their hearing range, so trainers communicate with dolphins through visual cues, like hand signals and body gestures. Jaclyn’s most unexpected experience with a dolphin was having them take notice and echolocate on her belly while she was pregnant!

Thelma and Roxy are a mother-daughter dynamic duo!

Although dolphins can’t tell us in so many words, it’s pretty obvious when they seem to enjoy a certain behavior (like a jump or a splash). It’s usually something that has gotten them lots of attention before. Some really seem to enjoy and seek out tactile reinforcement like touching, back rubs and tail rubs. What else do they like? Jaclyn hasn’t found a dolphin yet who doesn’t like fish. Many even enjoy ice cubes and gelatin! They also communicate what they don’t like. From experience, Jaclyn has learned that if they don’t want to do something, they won’t do it. Trainers are constantly observing their behavior and have a good idea of what is reinforcing to them.

This is Astra – she just may be the smartest dolphin ever! She is always watching and ready for anything!

This great page from Discovery Cove describes all the different ways that dolphins communicate.

Here are a few other interesting dolphin factoids: The life expectancy of bottlenose dolphins is around 30-40 years. Some have had a lifespan of over 60 years! And, did you know that dolphins sleep by resting one side of the brain at a time? This allows them to continue rising to the surface for air and to keep an eye open to watch out for predators.

So, after living her dream for 12 amazing years, never thinking anything could tear her away, she started a family. Jaclyn found herself wanting to be home with her family on weekends and holidays. She didn’t want to miss out on all of her children’s milestones. So, she found a new career within the same company, not so far from her flippered friends who continue to be very well cared for by an amazing group of trainers! And, she tries to visit them as often as possible. The bond she has with them will last a lifetime.

This is Akai, Jaclyn’s favorite dolphin of all time! Lovingly nicknamed “Fluffy” for his adorably fluffy neck roll.

If you or your clients have a similar love of dolphins, you can make lifelong memories of your own!

SeaWorld has a variety of opportunities for your clients to observe and learn more about dolphins, including:

• Dolphin Cove – One of the largest interactive dolphin pools in the world, where you can see dolphins play and jump above the water, or see them gracefully swim in the underwater viewing area.
• Dolphin Nursery – A great place to introduce kids to the beauty of life in the animal world from its very first chapters. Watch as dolphin calves practice jumping, playing and communicating with their moms and other newborns through clicks and vocalizations.
• Dolphin Days – Be entertained and inspired while educating your family about dolphins and their importance to our natural world. Together with a soaring rainbow of tropical birds, sea and sky unite while guests receive an up close look at the relationships the majestic animals have with their animal care specialists.
• Dolphin Encounter – See how SeaWorld cares for their dolphins, participate in a training session, then touch and feed a dolphin on this program (additional fee).
• Dolphin Up-Close Tour – Splash with the bottlenose dolphins at Dolphin Nursery. You’ll get to touch and feed these playful guys while a photographer snaps away so you don’t miss a moment (additional fee).

Akai, Jaclyn’s favorite!

Discovery Cove is an all-inclusive experience in Orlando where your clients can get up close and personal with dolphins, sharks and other amazing animals. The signature dolphin swim experience begins with your group meeting a dolphin in a crystal clear swimming areas. Next, an animal care specialists will teach you all about dolphin habits, behaviors, their incredible communication abilities and the relationships they build on a daily basis with these incredible animals. After that, each group member will get a chance to individually interact with a dolphin and learn about that dolphin’s personality through behaviors!