Become a Dolphin Trainer at the Mirage Hotel!

The Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas Allows Guests to Become Dolphin Trainers for a Day

by The Traveling Staffer

The Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas is now offering the experience of a lifetime to those who love dolphins. The new Trainer for a Day program provides guests with unforgettable memories of working side by side with animal experts and a family of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins at The Mirage's Siegfried & Roy's Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat.

My family and I learned about dolphin health and behavior, as well as the Dolphin Habitat's research projects that aid in the survival of the Atlantic bottlenose dolphin in the wild. Trainer for a Day provides a chance to connect with these magnificent creatures and experience a hands-on, educational program for those who want to deepen their understanding of these marine mammals. Every person's experience is different because the dolphins' needs vary daily.

"The Trainer for a Day experience is an enjoyable memory that will last forever," said Charles Kotulski, a Trainer for a Day participant and professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. "The strength of the program is the fact that I was actively involved in the program and not just a spectator. This adventure will appeal to anyone who loves animals and wants to learn more about dolphins."

The adventure begins at 9:45 a.m. when the program's facilitator greets participants. While guests enjoy a light continental breakfast, the facilitator teaches them dolphin terms used by the trainers and reviews hand signals used to train the dolphins. After a behind-the-scenes tour of the Dolphin Habitat, participants change into wetsuits before being introduced to the dolphin trainers for hands-on instruction.

Mike Muraco, director of Animal Care at The Mirage, said, "These training sessions are very important for the dolphins' well-being. The mammals learn to participate in their own health care by cooperating with trainers, who do daily health checks of each animal. Participants also have the opportunity to observe many aspects of dolphin care, including veterinary care procedures such as ultrasounds and recording the animals' heart rates and temperatures, which the public rarely sees."

When The Mirage began considering this program, the most important consideration was the safety and health of the dolphins. The various people the dolphins are exposed to through Trainer for a Day stimulate their brains and give them variation in their environment. The dolphins become accustomed to seeing different people, which is helpful when medical specialists come in to care for them.

After lunch activities include additional dolphin training sessions or learning more about dolphin behavior, including their underwater sonar capabilities. The day ends with an opportunity to pose for photos with the dolphins, creating wonderful photographic memories.

The program is open to everyone 13 years of age or older, and is limited to four participants per day, six days a week. For more info call (702) 792-7889.