In 1990, my parents brought me to San Diego and we went to SeaWorld.
For a 9 year old, I was BLOWN AWAY and immediately in love. I fell in love with ANIMALS, almost all of them. I didn't touch the dolphins at the touch pool because I was afraid that I'd scratch them. I spent 10 years regretting it and wishing I would have touched one.
I went home and my room was filled with animals (birds, hamsters, fish). I adopted a humpback whale. I spent hours researching and reading books to understand how to take care of my animals with the best food, living conditions and enrichment. I was nine years old and learning how to research, getting excited about books and loving animals in the best way a 9 year old could.
The Bird Station:
Fast forward a really long time (2011) and my husband and I take a trip to Alaska. Obviously, the only thing on my mind was this:
SPEACHLESS!!!!! DREAMS CAME TRUE! 9 Hours on the ocean watching birds (there was a bird watching group on the boat) and all other animals. I fell while running to the front of the boat in Seward to see them. I wanted to shout I LOVE YOU and freak out because they just let us watch them.
BEST. DAY. EVER….. Or so I thought.
Fast forward again (2013) and now I have a 7 month old human being that I am responsible for rearing to be an intelligent, respectful, kind person. We find ourselves at Sea World Orlando.
This activity is safe and he's loving it. Loving it as in, going to jump in with the rays if we let him.
We graduate to a bigger activity. All is well. We are following rules!
This activity is keeping me on my toes slightly…. I'm nervous.
I'm thinking "let's take a photo of him before he freaks out at the cetaceans flying through the air and such." He's 7 months old, that's what I fully expected.
So far so good… Not flipping out. Oh yea, there's a show going on. Hopefully he hasn't pooped or isn't hungry but I'm ready for those things like a thoroughbred at the gate.
The end of the show came and this happened:
HE'S WAVING TO THE ORCA'S!!!! He has never waved at anything in his life! I cried. I cried because it was touching and I realized that my role/job is to ensure that he respects animals and the environment. He doesn't need to love them like I do, but he needs to respect them.
We came home and I thought he'd forget about the orca's but I was wrong.
At 20 months old, he walks over to the DVD player, picks out One Ocean and brings it back to me. He jumps into my lap and we sit and watch the entire thing.
Evan is turning two in May and we are taking him back to Orlando in April and back to SeaWorld. This is what SeaWorld does along with everything else that they do. They promote the love and respect for animals in generations of human beings. They remind us that we don't need to be orca trainers to make a difference. Pick up that lost dog on the street and help find it's owner. Plant a plant that's good for the environment and maybe even something that bares food for you (I tried it last year, it was actually fun said the plant killer). Teach your kids how they can positively affect their environment and how to CARE for it. That's what SeaWorld taught me and what I can pass on to my child.
Side Bar: If someone made a movie of my life and all the things I've done wrong, it would be absolutely horrifying. It's so easy to point out what people, institutions and organizations have done wrong as opposed to celebrating what they do RIGHT and how far we've all come.
Second Side Bar: I'm absolutely shocked staring at the stats at how many people are reading this. I wanted to put my experience in one place for a few reasons. 1-To remind myself how I'm going to explain the importance of SeaWorld to my son when he gets older. 2- So that others can know that it's OK not to side with main stream media. SeaWorld isn't paying me.
The comments below are a safe place for people to share positive feelings for the parks and their conservation/education efforts free of criticism and negativity!
Thank you so much for your story. SeaWorld truly is an amazing place and is the beginning of so many stories of inspiration and passion for animals and for our natural world! Have fun during your trip in May!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for talking about what Sea World and reputable marine mammal facilities try so hard to achieve. We want to teach people to love, respect, and care about marine life and conserve them and their ocean homes. Sea World helped you learn and now will help your son too.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully written-
ReplyDeleteThanks so much. Some of us have lost friends over the past few months because of the passion that we chose. It's so nice to see the real world results of what I do every day. When I teach a kid a fun fact about an animal. When I sit my guests down at a show. When I help a teenager get over their fears and actually touch a stingray. It matters. It makes a difference. If only one in ten people take away what you and your family did... we'd impact as many as 4000 people a day. Four. Thousand. Lives. Changed. In one day. Thank you for speaking up for the organization that helped inspire that caring feeling for the environment, and take heart in the fact that we do everything in our power to give these animals the best care possible.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your uplifting story. My daughter, Robyn, had a similar experience. After her first visit to the San Antonio SeaWorld in 7th grade, she decided she wanted to be a "dolphin trainer". She kept that promise to herself until she graduated college and made the trip to apply to work there. Now at almost 40, she has worked in most all of the areas of the park. For the last several years, she has been with the white whale and dolphins. Her love and the love of her colleagues for all the animals is so amazing. 100% of her day is spent seeing to the well-being of those animals. It isn't just her career...it's her passion and her love.
ReplyDeleteI liked Sea World as a kid too in the 70s and 80s before I knew different.But after reading, starting back in the 90s until current day, various studies and animal support documents can say I respect your experience; however if I had children they would not go to Sea World.
ReplyDeleteThe problem is that what you have been reading is more than half made up of lies. The other half is exaggerated and spun so that it matches the lies. The trainer in the movie Blackfish with the bloody face walked into a projection screen. While the narrator discusses the possibility of injury at a job spent with animals and emotional music plays you can "feel" upset and those responsible can swear they never said the blood was caused by any dangerous animals.
DeleteBrilliant! Especially the part about how all of us have done things wrong, made mistakes and have regrets . . . the things that "we" have that few of the cranky animal rights extremists have is forgiveness and patience and the ability to understand our human need for a connection to animals. Do they truly believe that we can all learn to respect ALL life on earth, including our fellow humans, from reading books, looking at pictures of things long gone or distant, and worst of all, listening to LECTURES from people whose quasi-religion forbids them to live with and work with animals? One of the most common complaints of the protest groups is that SeaWorld and like places "exploit" animals for "mere entertainment". The bottom line is their own lack of self-worth and love for their fellow humans. It manifests in misanthropy, a kind of institutionalized depression and deep seated anger and frustration with their own life circumstances. We see this same manifestation in politics, an extension of this blame, judgment of others and self-righteousness.
DeleteI was that kid. I was 5 when I visited Sea World Orlando and decided right then & there that I wanted to be a dolphin trainer. 2 bachelors degrees, 2 masters degrees, and one almost PhD later I've been in the field for almost 20 years training & learning from these animals. That one moment lit a fire and its now been burning for 33 years. May your son find a passion he loves as well.
ReplyDeleteGreat story! Sea World changed my life when I was 13 years old. I got to touch and feed a killer whale at Sea World Ohio and I'll never forget that day. Unfortunately I haven't been able to see whales in the wild, but I sure respect them and the work Sea World does.
ReplyDeleteI suggest going to Seward Alaska or Seattle to see them in the ocean. They are absolutely breathtaking. I loved and respected them even more!
ReplyDeleteLoved your article. I feel the same way.
ReplyDeleteSeaWorld changed my path in life. Visited as a child and became a trainer. My kids love an respect creatures in all environments. I can tell you that of all the marine mammal facilities out there, SeaWorld does it right and no one does it better.
ReplyDeleteI love all these comments from everyone. It's especially endearing to hear from trainers. My life plan was to be a trainer however my parents were older when they had me and would not be able to leave MN. I put my plans aside and made a new plan to be a stay at home mom! Some day, I'd like to try the "trainer for a day" experience at Discovery Cove! Until I can afford it, we'll keep on visiting when we get the chance or are unable to take another long winter without loosing our sanity up here.
ReplyDeleteI am a trainer at DC and do the Trainer For A Day program all the time. If you ever have questions about it let me know! It is a really amazing program :D Thank you again for your blog!
DeleteHi Melissa!! I do have a few questions for you however blogger won't allow me to respond. Can you email me? Katie.e.lott@gmail.com Thank you for offering information!
DeleteI went to SeaWorld,Ohio, the day before my son was born. I was sitting by the dolphin pool feeding them and one of them threw a fish right in my lap and stayed close chirping . I always felt the dolphin and my son were having a conversation. Years later when living in Orlando, we visited SeaWorld frequently and Chris took all of the summer classes offered. He and his wife worked as characters several years at the "Spooktacular". Chris turns 40 this year and a a visit is planned. We aren't sure which one since we now live in California but if not an actual visit we will be there in spirit. SeaWorld is very dear to our and many families. We have friends who work there. Can't wait to visit the San Diego park!
ReplyDeleteHi Katie, I work for SeaWorld and many of the trainers, friends, supporters are passing your blog around, so we DO know you exist and you DO make a difference. I cried when I saw your son waving because THAT is what I hope for every guest that comes to see the animals at the park. Thank you for being a voice in all of this.
ReplyDeleteThank you!! You just made my night! We can't wait to come back!!! Now that I said that, watch my child tantrum out at SW in which case I would still document it LOL!!!!! Crossing fingers that that doesn't happen.
DeleteLove this story! It is sad that people are losing friends over the blatant lies of Blackfish, but their opinion is that, it's just sad they can't see the GOOD also.I love going there, many friends are trainers, and I agree that if it weren't for seaworld having many of these animals, we would not have dedicated trainers who's love of the animals come first.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully told, thank you. If any of you have lost a friend over something that you believe in, they were never your friend to begin with. Don't consider that a loss. A real friend supports your decisions whether they agree or not.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your story. I have worked for the company for 18 years and started out as a park educator teaching guests about our animals. Your story is exactly why we do what we do. As humans, we will only protect and conserve what we love and understand. We may attract guests to our parks with entertainment, but they will not leave the gates without at least some small understanding and appreciation for the world that we share.
ReplyDeleteIm a animal keeper at seaworld and your story was beautiful. Thanks for the support! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your experience and supporting seaworld. I wish more people like you would step forward!
ReplyDeleteBeautifully written. You truly captured the spirit of Sea World. As a mom who takes her daughter to Sea World often ( we live by one) it is truly special for them to see how amazing our world is and how to respect it.
ReplyDeleteHi Katie! I have been a SeaWorld Orlando employee for over 21 years. :-) 12 of these wonderful years, I was a member of the Education Department as an Instructor. During the summer months we offer in our SeaWorld parks Adventure Camps. My favorite part of being an instructor was observing my kids watch in awe the animals during the shows! Since I knew what the trainers' hand signals meant I would look at the kids reactions as the animals did the behavior. Laughter, squeals and smiles followed right after. At the end of the show my kids all at once wanted to talk about their experience and asking how they could work with animals one day. I am proud to have taught thousands of children about animals and how they could care for them in their own back yards. Thank you for making me smile today with your beautiful words and I relived my camp days as I saw your son wave goodbye to the killer whales.
ReplyDeleteHi Katie, what a wonderful adventure you have had with Sea World.. Thank you for sharing. I took our daughter (also a Kate) to Sea World as a child and for years she wanted to be a doctor during the day, a librarian at night, and work at Sea World on the weekends. She is now working on an advanced degree in Occupational Therapy. Somehow I believe she will find a way to get 2 out of 3 of her wishes! The ocean is a very powerful aid to OT.
ReplyDeleteI am really enjoying everyone's comments!!! I'm so glad that this little blog has turned into a place where people feel comfortable to comment with experiences and feelings towards SeaWorld. As I've said, I moderate the comments so FYI to anyone who reads this for the first time and would like to add a comment! I welcome all comments that are not negative, nasty and misinformed!
ReplyDeleteHI Kathleen. Question, would a comment stating my opinion that captivity of cetaceans is a bad thing be okay? If people believe it is cruel and want to voice that opinion, is not a blog the place to do it? I went to Sea World as a child and was also enthralled by the beauty and wonder of these animals. As an adult I have come to believe the these animals are very highly evolved with regard to the capacity for higher levels of thinking. I dont feel this is negative, Sea World can still do great things to inspire and educate people about sea life. But must they do it at the expense of the animals that understand their circumstance?
DeleteI appreciate your opinion and your respectful delivery. This is however, my personal blog. I decide comments I want to keep and comments I do not. Just as everyone else should on their own blogs! SeaWorld does not inspire "at the expense" of animals. The animals are HIGHLY cared for including all aspects of brain and physical development. I am a firm believer that social media should be used carefully. This blog is public because I decided that I wouldn't mind the public reading it. I would urge all bloggers to moderate their comments sections. If you believe what you say, this is a free country and you may vocalize that. However, my blog is simply, my blog. :) My life experiences and beliefs are not up for critique. I don't base my life on anything other than what I believe in my heart to be true. Blackfish is a poorly edited film that does not CURRENTLY reflect how SeaWorld takes excellent care of it's animals at all of their parks.
DeleteThank you for allowing me to post my comment, I will respect your wishes and go no further with my beliefs here. I understand your position as this is your public space and I sense that you genuinely feel strongly about what is just. Unfortunately when people feel strongly about something like this emotions can take over and cause them to say ugly things that they would not say in person, so I do understand limiting some dialog that would derail your message. I ask only that you consider doing a future post that allows for respectful discussion of some of these differing views on cetacean capture and captivity. I couldn't get my parents to take me to the Sea World (Ohio one that is gone now) enough when I was a kid and I believe they can still be a great voice for animals that dont speak our language. Please consider a follow up where we could have a respectful debate. Thanks again.
DeleteFirst and foremost, I am a mother. That being said, I don't have time to debate nor do I wish to. I believe in SeaWorld, always have and always will. For me, it isn't up for debate. I just say agree to disagree. Luckily, I have had help this evening so that I could be on the computer more then usual. My job is to parent my son 24/7 and he runs a VERY tight ship. If you like to debate, you should open up your own blog to do so with others that wish to or have time to take part in a debate.
DeleteGood point, maybe I will. As a father of 3 ( 19-22 and 30) I understand the time demands on you. When I do my blog I hope you can find a few minutes to visit and engage in respectful discussion of different viewpoints... Peace!
DeleteI enjoyed reading your uplifting story. Thank you for sharing the personal way that SeaWorld makes a difference in many of our lives.
ReplyDeleteSeaWorld was the foundation for finding who I am.
ReplyDeleteWent to Orlando when I was just 6, and fell in love with the commitment and knowledge trainers had for their animals - particularly the dolphins who I met at Discovery Cove.
Since, every holiday to Florida I've visited the parks, and attended Camp there twice during my teens which gave me a further backstage insight to SeaWorld's amazing work.
Now? I'm in my last year of university studying Environmental Conservation, and soon going on to do a Masters Degree in Environmental Biology.
I don't know where life will lead me, but I hope to make a difference for conservation and the world we live in.
I'm so jealous of you people actually living in the states. I went to SeaWorld once in 2000, when I was nine, but I was rather brain-dead back then (not really, but it seems like that now) and wasn't that captivated or interested.
ReplyDeleteI live in Sweden, on the other side of the world, and we only have one puny dolphinarium here (haven't been there, though). I would love to go to SeaWorld again.
Thank you for the blog. I go to SeaWorld as much as I can and love seeing all the animals. I have watched the 3 legged turtle grow up at SeaWorld because SeaWorld saved his life and we can learn from them.
ReplyDeleteHer name is Stitch. She is a female green sea turtle. :) SeaWorld gave her a forever home when she was deemed Unreleasable by the state.
DeleteThank you!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful blog, Katie! Many of us that work for SeaWorld's sister parks at Busch Gardens are sharing this as well!
ReplyDeleteI appreciate this!! I think it's insane how quickly people feel the need to get caught up in the negative things in life when there is so much good. SeaWorld is a magical place, and I applaud you for writing this post. Thank you for sharing your heart warming story.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your story!!! It was very heartwarming to read! You just might have a future trianer , marine biologist and a wildlife conservation activist your hands!
ReplyDeleteThat was beautiful. I have 3 children of my own. I too have been in "awe" of Orca's since I was a small child, reading up on them and such. They are my "Unicorns" of the sea. I loved Dolphins too. I remember watching "Free Willy" thinking wow that boy is lucky to be that close. I had no idea what facts I would find and still as an adult I am very curious about the Ocean life. I have never been to SeaWorld and my research has left me feeling profoundly passionate about this topic. So much insight wouldn't have been known without the ability of SeaWorld educating us as to how incredible the Ocean life is. I have read so many accounts where Whales in general are quite gentle and have actually helped humans in shipwrecks same as Humans have dedicated their lives to helping them and freeing then from nets. They truly are incredible! I too raise my 3 children to respect Gods creations!! I found myself thinking "They are aware of how delicate we are" and in all the years of training wells its astounding that there haven't been more fatalities, which shows their trust with their trainers and trainers trusting them!!! That is amazing in itself. SeaWorld stands for a lot of good especially in educating us.
ReplyDelete