A Celebration of the Dolphin Man
Dr. Horace Dobbs, affectionately known as "the Dolphin Man", was arguably the world's most knowledgeable expert on dolphins during his prime.
Dr. Dobbs passed away in 2020, and this week we celebrate his immense contributions to our understanding of cetaceans, his pioneering work in deciphering dolphin communication, and his groundbreaking discoveries about dolphin-assisted healing.
Born into a humble background in East London, Dr. Dobbs defied expectations to become an accomplished atomic scientist, an author of over a hundred books, a filmmaker, a world-class lecturer, a pioneer of underwater photography, and a visionary who recognized the urgent need for marine conservation three decades ahead of his time.
Despite his initial reluctance, he couldn't ignore the overwhelming evidence that regular interactions with dolphins had a profound positive impact on people's mental health, particularly those struggling with depression.
To test his theory, he took a group of severely depressed individuals to swim with a wild dolphin off the coast of an island. The results were nothing short of remarkable. People were lifted out of their debilitating depression, and one anorexic adult who had previously attempted suicide multiple times made a full recovery, went on to
marry, and had three children. All of the participants experienced significant improvement after interacting with the dolphin.
Dr. Dobbs penned the book "Dolphin Healinging" following the success of his earlier work, "Follow a Wild Dolphin" which chronicles his extraordinary journey tracking a wild dolphin around the shores of the British Isles.
A pivotal moment in Dr. Dobb'; life occurred in 1973 when, after being made redundant, he encountered the same dolphin he had befriended 200 miles away off the coast of Wales. This serendipitous encounter solidified his decision to dedicate his life to studying dolphins full-time.
Dr. Dobbs went on to have an illustrious career, receiving the prestigious Silver Bowl Award in America, an honor previously bestowed upon luminaries such as Winston Churchill and John F. Kennedy. He also produced and presented a series of underwater documentaries and collaborated with television companies to capture his extraordinary interactions with solitary wild dolphins around the globe. These solitary dolphins, unlike those in captivity, were not enticed to interact with humans; they chose to do so on their own accord. Dr. Dobbs believed that these dolphins were ambassadors from their world, seeking to learn from us and urging us to reciprocate by learning from them. These documentaries will be showcased during the celebration week, offering a glimpse into Dr. Dobbs' remarkable encounters.
Dr. Dobbs possessed an uncanny ability to attract these wild dolphins in the open ocean, and they would willingly interact with him. His documentaries are unique and, in many instances, could not be replicated today due to UK laws that prohibit interactions between humans and dolphins, even if the dolphins initiate the
contact.
The celebration of Dr. Dobbs' life's work will be spearheaded by his son, Ashley Dobbs, a visionary in his own right, who has built eco-villages and pioneered the use of the internet and remote work. As one newspaper aptly observed, Ashley has followed in his father's fin steps, working as an underwater cameraman in his early life and leading scuba diving expeditions around the world.
Ashley Dobbs, who has recently taken on the role of Honorary Director of International Dolphin Watch (IDW), a non-profit organization founded by his father in 1978, will share with the audience the profound wisdom that we can glean from these remarkable creatures, who possess intelligence that rivals, if not surpasses, our own. He will emphasize that we are failing to recognize the vast knowledge that awaits us in the depths of the ocean.
Dr. Horace Dobbs, the "Dolphin Man", was a pioneer who dedicated his life to understanding and protecting these extraordinary marine mammals. His legacy will continue to inspire and guide generations to come, encouraging us to learn from dolphins and foster a harmonious coexistence with all creatures of the sea.
Dr. Dobbs passed away in 2020, and this week we celebrate his immense contributions to our understanding of cetaceans, his pioneering work in deciphering dolphin communication, and his groundbreaking discoveries about dolphin-assisted healing.
Born into a humble background in East London, Dr. Dobbs defied expectations to become an accomplished atomic scientist, an author of over a hundred books, a filmmaker, a world-class lecturer, a pioneer of underwater photography, and a visionary who recognized the urgent need for marine conservation three decades ahead of his time.
Despite his initial reluctance, he couldn't ignore the overwhelming evidence that regular interactions with dolphins had a profound positive impact on people's mental health, particularly those struggling with depression.
To test his theory, he took a group of severely depressed individuals to swim with a wild dolphin off the coast of an island. The results were nothing short of remarkable. People were lifted out of their debilitating depression, and one anorexic adult who had previously attempted suicide multiple times made a full recovery, went on to
marry, and had three children. All of the participants experienced significant improvement after interacting with the dolphin.
Dr. Dobbs penned the book "Dolphin Healinging" following the success of his earlier work, "Follow a Wild Dolphin" which chronicles his extraordinary journey tracking a wild dolphin around the shores of the British Isles.
A pivotal moment in Dr. Dobb'; life occurred in 1973 when, after being made redundant, he encountered the same dolphin he had befriended 200 miles away off the coast of Wales. This serendipitous encounter solidified his decision to dedicate his life to studying dolphins full-time.
Dr. Dobbs went on to have an illustrious career, receiving the prestigious Silver Bowl Award in America, an honor previously bestowed upon luminaries such as Winston Churchill and John F. Kennedy. He also produced and presented a series of underwater documentaries and collaborated with television companies to capture his extraordinary interactions with solitary wild dolphins around the globe. These solitary dolphins, unlike those in captivity, were not enticed to interact with humans; they chose to do so on their own accord. Dr. Dobbs believed that these dolphins were ambassadors from their world, seeking to learn from us and urging us to reciprocate by learning from them. These documentaries will be showcased during the celebration week, offering a glimpse into Dr. Dobbs' remarkable encounters.
Dr. Dobbs possessed an uncanny ability to attract these wild dolphins in the open ocean, and they would willingly interact with him. His documentaries are unique and, in many instances, could not be replicated today due to UK laws that prohibit interactions between humans and dolphins, even if the dolphins initiate the
contact.
The celebration of Dr. Dobbs' life's work will be spearheaded by his son, Ashley Dobbs, a visionary in his own right, who has built eco-villages and pioneered the use of the internet and remote work. As one newspaper aptly observed, Ashley has followed in his father's fin steps, working as an underwater cameraman in his early life and leading scuba diving expeditions around the world.
Ashley Dobbs, who has recently taken on the role of Honorary Director of International Dolphin Watch (IDW), a non-profit organization founded by his father in 1978, will share with the audience the profound wisdom that we can glean from these remarkable creatures, who possess intelligence that rivals, if not surpasses, our own. He will emphasize that we are failing to recognize the vast knowledge that awaits us in the depths of the ocean.
Dr. Horace Dobbs, the "Dolphin Man", was a pioneer who dedicated his life to understanding and protecting these extraordinary marine mammals. His legacy will continue to inspire and guide generations to come, encouraging us to learn from dolphins and foster a harmonious coexistence with all creatures of the sea.