Dolphin Academy Application

This is an application only and does not ensure acceptance into the program.

Application Deadline: August 1st, 2026

***This program is offered to those who are seriously interested in exploring a professional career in the marine mammal training profession or a career in animal training and care in general.***

Students wishing to be considered for admission to the Dolphin Academy must complete the following application.

Student Requirements for Enrollment:

• Must 18 years of age or older
• International students are eligible 
• Must be fluent in English, however if necessary, students may utilize a translator at their own expense
• Complete this application and:
• Submit two (2) letters of recommendation from people unrelated (not family) to you. (Employers, teachers/professors/coaches, etc.)
• Must have access to the internet and Google Drive/Google Classroom installed.
• Upon application, there is a $200.00 non-refundable, non-transferable deposit to secure your space for Dolphin Academy. This payment will be applied to your final balance. Payment of the deposit will reserve your spot. The tuition balance is due in full before the start of online classes. The $200 deposit is only refunded in the event the applicant is not accepted into the Dolphin Academy program or if the session is canceled by Dolphin Research Center. It is NOT refundable for any other reason.
• Applications will not be considered complete until all documents required are received. Incomplete applications will not be considered. It is the applicant’s responsibility to insure all documentation has been received by DRCTI administration.
• By submitting this form you are indicating that you are capable of fulfilling all program performance standards and performance requirements as listed below and in the course catalog (available at www.dolphins.org/drcti).
• Program Specific Requirements
• Students will be required to purchase both Touching Animal Souls by Gabrielle Harris as well as Animal Training 101 by Jennifer Zeligs, which are used for several classes.  All other required reading will be provided.
• Students will be expected to have a computer, laptop, and/or tablet on which they can access Google Drive with the ability to use Google Classroom, Google Sheets, and Google Docs. This can be done by creating a Gmail account or modifying a currently existing Gmail account. We suggest you create a special Gmail account for your classes to help you stay organized.
• Each course will have links to publications, YouTube videos, as well as document attachments for further course materials. 
• The Dolphin Academy is designed to give students a realistic experience of what it is like for employment in the field of marine mammal care and training. It is important to note that students will be working directly with marine mammals during the course of this program and that marine mammals are large animals that can be dangerous. Therefore, students enrolled in the Dolphin Academy are expected to rigorously adhere to the rules and regulations of the program in order to ensure the safety of the students, animals, staff, and general public at Dolphin Research Center. All students are expected to maintain the highest personal and ethical standards of conduct consistent with the professional effort expected by Dolphin Research Center Training Institute faculty and all personnel at Dolphin Research Center. These standards are outlined below. Any information indicating that such standards are not being maintained will be reviewed by faculty and may result in student dismissal by the administration with no refund.
• Program Specific Performance Standards
• In addition to Dolphin Research Center Training Institute’s ‘General Student Performance Standards’, the following program specific performance standards apply:
• Mobility: Without assistance, sufficient to rapidly walk the span of Dolphin Research Center without interruption, run and swim distances of 50 yards, easily maneuver on and off floating/moving platforms without assistance, maneuver in tight spaces while manipulating overhead objects, work outdoors in both intense sun and heat as well as under rainy and cold conditions. Students are required to participate in facility cleaning and care of all session equipment/training props. Students will be required to help prepare the diets of animals in the facility under the supervision of Dolphin Research Center/Dolphin Research Center Training Institute staff members.
• Motor Skills: Gross and fine motor abilities sufficient to provide safe and effective animal care, including: without assistance, the ability to routinely lift 50 lb. boxes of frozen fish and maneuver non-motorized rolling carts carrying up to 60 lbs. over the entire span of the facility (approximately 230 yards) without interruption. 
• Hearing: Ability sufficient to monitor human communication, auditory training bridges and animal vocalizations and behavior across large distances (half the length of the facility animal habitats combined).  
• Visual: Ability sufficient for observation and visual assessment of animals, humans and habitats in extreme high light (intense sun) and low light situations, both indoors and outdoors. Students must see well at a distance of 90 feet or more. This is in accordance with human and animal safety issues and observational needs.
• Swimming: Ability to swim comfortably at the surface for a minimum of 5 minutes, tread water for a minimum of 10 minutes, distance swim at least 200 meters, hold breath for at least 30 seconds, retrieve a dive ring from approximately 8-10 feet deep, and haul out of the water onto a floating dock without assistance.
• All applicants who have met the conditions will be considered for acceptance into the program. Applying is not a guarantee of acceptance. If more applicants apply than there are spaces available, the spots will be filled on a first come first served basis.  If you apply, are accepted, and there are no available spaces in the class, we will defer your acceptance for up to one year. 
• Each Dolphin Academy set of onsite dates requires a minimum of four (4) students. If this minimum requirement is not met and the session is canceled, you may choose to defer your acceptance for up to one (1) year or choose to receive a full refund of any deposits and payments for the Dolphin Academy you have already made and have been received by Dolphin Research Center Training Institute. 
• Questions: Email drcti@dolphins.org  Correspondence will be via drcti@dolphins.org.  Please ensure messaged from that address do not go to SPAM and check your SPAM mailbox just in case.