IT'S NEVER TOO LATE TO LEARN TO SWIM...WITH DOLPHINS!
Dorothy Helbig bonded with "Sam," one of the Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins she and her Fountains neighbors swam with at Dolphins Plus in Key Largo last month. "I'm grateful to The Fountains for having such a wonderful trip," said Dorothy, who was celebrating her 98th birthday.

One week after celebrating her 98th birthday with family and friends at The Fountains at Boca Ciega Bay, her retirement home in St. Petersburg, Dorothy Helbig proved to herself—and the world—that age alone is no barrier to some of life's greatest adventures.

On May 4, Dorothy and five of her neighbors took part in an excursion planned by The Fountains to Dolphins Plus in Key Largo. There, they were treated to a thrill of a lifetime swimming in the natural lagoons with six Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins named "L.B.," "Ding," "Sam," "Julian," "Bob" and "Cosmo."

Dolphins Plus is the oldest swim-with-dolphins program in the U.S., according to its Founder, Lloyd Borguss, and Dorothy is, by far, its oldest patron to date. In fact, The Fountains is the first such company ever to host an excursion there.

Of interacting with Sam and Julian, Dorothy admits that she was "scared as hell," but added, "I'm proud that I went and was able to do it because I wasn't sure I could."

That's because in all her 98 years, Dorothy never learned how to swim—a minor detail. Two experienced Dolphins Plus trainers flanked her in the water at all times while Sam and Julian won Dorothy over with their gentle, playful nature. "I had a wonderful time and wouldn't have missed it for anything," she beamed. "It was quite an adventure."

After spending the morning frolicking with Bob and Cosmo, Dorothy's neighbor Martha Taylor admitted, "It was more wonderful than I expected. Thrilling."

 Martha signed up for the excursion after a presentation at The Fountains by Dolphins Plus reassured her that it was something she could do with her limited abilities. For a good part of her 79 years, Martha has been wheelchair-bound due to MS. Dolphins Plus, which specializes in therapeutic programs for people with disabilities, used a special lift to ease Martha into the dolphin's world.

"All of the residents had a great time," said Aileen Doyle, Community Life Director for The Fountains at Boca Ciega Bay. Aileen's job—and passion—is to encourage residents to dream big and act on their dreams. Rewarding work? "I'll be on Cloud Nine for a few weeks," said Doyle. Then, it's on to the next adventure!

June Hussey