"If we could talk to the animals, learn their languages,

Think of all the things we could discuss,

If we could walk with the animals, talk with the animals,

Grunt and squeak and squawk with the animals,

And they could squeak and squawk and speak and talk to us."

So goes the song from Dr. Doolittle 'Talk to the Animals' (Leslie Bricusse, 1967).

But how many of us get the chance to do just that?

Dolphin Quest is now offering people the opportunity to talk to the animals with an insight into the life of a dolphin trainer.

Roma Hayward, manager of marine animals, says: "Being able to make a connection with any species of animal is quite extraordinary, it's a special bond.

"And to see someone light up when they make a connection with such amazing animals as these dolphins is very rewarding."

Mrs. Hayward explained that each dolphin at the Keep at Dockyard has its "own personality and characteristics".

Training is done on an individual basis according to a 'behaviour pyramid' whereby the animals learn step by step, through reinforcement and communication.

On the new 'Trainer for the Day' and 'Trainer for the Week' programmes, participants get the opportunity to signal a dolphin and take part in feeding, husbandry and preventive health care.

The first 'trainer' in the new programme is Meghan Fawcett, 14, who attends school off-Island at Roland Park Country School in Maryland, US.

Meghan, from Southampton, found that her week coincided with Dolphin Quest's quarterly taking of blood samples.

"I was exploring my options because I've always wanted to do something with marine science," says Meghan.

"I thought coming to Dolphin Quest would be something fun, and it turned out to be really fun.

"What I liked best was getting to see the medical aspects of dolphin training. I really enjoyed helping with the blood samples, I found that very interesting."

She also got the opportunity to collect respiratory samples from the dolphins' blowholes.

"What you do is take a cup and tap around their blowhole and basically they sneeze up into it," says Meghan.

"I also got to learn some basic commands such as stationing when you call a dolphin and station them, and they put their head in your hands.

"It was such a special thing being able to interact and bond with the dolphins," she says.

Meghan, who qualified as a scuba diver at the age of nine, has spent the past couple of years participating in the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences' (BIOS) summer programmes. She is now looking at a career in marine biology.

"I am hoping to eventually get an internship at Dolphin Quest one summer so I can work here longer than a week," she adds.

Mrs. Hayward said the courses are aimed at people looking for a career change or those wanting to explore the marine world.

"It's basically set up so people can get an inside view on what it means to be a trainer and how to manage the animals, and it provides them with an idea of whether it is something they would like to do.

"It's not something for someone wanting to swim or play with the dolphins for the day. It's for people looking for a career change or wanting a window into this kind of world."

Mrs. Hayward says each week is varied but tasks can involve fish preparation, cleaning, helping to take cytology tests, such as respiratory, gastric and fecal samples, or blood samples.

The 'Trainer for the Day' programme costs $650 and 'Trainer for the Week', $3,250.

The courses are open to anyone aged 12 and over but agility is required due to carrying buckets of fish and running around to keep the animals' attention during training.

For more information call Dolphin Quest Bermuda on 234 4464 or log onto: www.dolphinquest.org/destinations/bermuda/