It was an exciting opportunity for her as she has dreamed of becoming a dolphin trainer since going to Sea World in primary school.

Bec sent the following report:

I worked from 7.30am until 4pm each day at the pool alongside the trainers and volunteers.

Some of my less exciting tasks included cleaning the pools, chopping up fish, washing buckets, hosing paths, and photocopying training records.

However I really enjoyed assisting with shows and hand feeding the emu, pelicans, kangaroos, little fairy penguins, fish and sea turtles (some of whom had been rescued after the recent storms).

But my favourite activities were helping to feed the beautiful, intelligent and playful dolphins and seals.

It was interesting learning about the behaviours that the trainers teach the dolphins and seals, through positive reinforcement and habituation in order to allow the trainers and vets to keep the animals healthy.

For example opening their mouths to check the animals’ teeth and rolling over to allow a body examination.

This means that the animals don’t need to be sedated for health check ups.

It was also great helping the public in their interactions with the dolphins and seals, such as assisting with crowd control for the free seal and dolphin kisses!

The thing I loved most of all was the chance given to me on my last day, to take part in a dolphin training swim filmed by Prime TV.

It was so cool to be able to be in the pool with the gentle four year old Bella (who was born at the Pet Porpoise Pool).

I learnt how the trainers handle and train the dolphins and was shown how to do hand signals for various tricks that Bella then performed at my command.

This week has been such an awesome experience and I thoroughly recommend that other students take up the wonderful opportunities that school work experience provides.