Floating in the waters of the Rio Negro in the Brazilian Amazon, 27-year-old Luiz Felipe, who has Down Syndrome, beams with joy as he embraces a pink dolphin during a unique therapy session.
He is one of several individuals with disabilities who travel from Manaus to participate in this alternative therapy, which has benefited around 400 people over the past two decades.
Physiotherapist Igor Simoes Andrade, 49, leads these sessions, introducing young people with autism, cerebral palsy, Down Syndrome, and those who have lost limbs to the pink river dolphins (Inia geoffrensis). Conducted on a floating platform in Iranduba, these interactions offer a refreshing contrast to traditional clinical treatments.
While not a replacement for conventional therapy, Andrade describes his approach as “the first of its kind in the world.” He emphasizes that beyond physical benefits, it provides “joy, happiness, a connection with nature, and a sense of strength not found in hospital settings.”
The sessions are offered free of charge, made possible through sponsorships.
Neuropsychologist Hannah Fernandes, who works with children, highlights the social benefits of the therapy, noting that it allows participants to engage with new people and experiences beyond their daily routines.
Before entering the water, Luiz Felipe and two young women perform breathing exercises and yoga to relax. Fernandes recalls that during his first session, Luiz Felipe was hesitant to enter the water, but now he exudes confidence.
The pink dolphins—locally known as boto—approach the participants out of curiosity, weaving between them and eagerly seeking human interaction.
Dubbed “bototherapy,” these sessions have been approved by Brazil’s environmental regulator, Ibama. According to Andrade, they help patients improve “balance, spinal strength, and psychomotor skills.”
