Summer Intern Spotlight: Justin Matzner '25
As a therapy intern with Island Dolphin Key, Justin Matzner gets up and close with aquatic life.By: Sally Hopkins ‘26, student correspondent
Justin Matzner ‘25 interned with Island Dolphin Care in Key Largo, Florida, where he worked with clients in therapy classrooms and in the water with aquatic life. The non-for-profit organization provides animal-assisted therapy for people with special needs or challenges, and their families.
Matzner, of Stony Brook, New York, is an occupational therapy major. He hopes to continue his education into 2026 to earn a master's degree. He explains how the Royal Experience Summer Internship Program supported his interest in dolphins and therapy that began at a young age.
Describe a typical day at work.
“My typical day at work includes preparing the facility for clients' arrival. This involves hanging up life jackets, cleaning and organizing the therapy rooms, preparing activities for the therapy classroom and setting up cameras for photo sessions.
When the clients arrive for the therapy programs, we start by giving them a tour of the facility. Inside, we show them interactive walls, fish tanks and facts about dolphins and marine science. Then, we take them outside to familiarize them with the grounds.
The first half of their session at Island Dolphin Care takes place in the therapy classroom. We work on individualized goals, focusing on improving fine motor skills, balance, communication, social skills and coping mechanisms for stress, anxiety, depression and mood regulation. Activities include painting, sensory activities, balance beams and board games.
The second half of their session is spent in the water. We start with the sensory touch tanks, where they can see starfish, hermit crabs, sea urchins, sea slugs and bamboo sharks. Then, they go through the sensory garden and make their way to the dock to swim with dolphins. Throughout the session, we take pictures for them to capture their experience."
What are some skills you have learned?
"During my time here so far I've learned how to use different communication and social skills when working with non-verbal clients, such as hand signals or PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System) cards. I've used different adaptive equipment during sessions and learned how to do transfers with different clients. I've also learned various approaches to activities involving coping mechanisms for stress, anxiety, depression and mood regulation. I've developed a lot of patience during sessions and gained experience working with animals that assist clients in therapy. Additionally, working with clients from diverse backgrounds has also increased my cultural sensitivity."
What do you enjoy most about your job?
"What I enjoy most is seeing the positive impact this place has on children’s and veterans’ mental health. Dolphin-assisted therapy makes a significant difference to individuals, and it makes me happy to see clients improve during their five-day programs, both in their physical limitations and mental health conditions. I also enjoy being exposed to a unique type of therapy that is growing in the field of occupational therapy."
What was your expectation going into the job? Does it match the reality?
"My expectations going into the job were that I would learn about working with different clients in the therapy room and managing the involvement of assisting animals. Not only did my expectations match the reality, but they were also exceeded. I gained extensive hands-on experience with a variety of clients, each with unique needs and challenges. I also developed skills in integrating animal-assisted therapy into our sessions, learning how to effectively utilize the therapeutic benefits of working with dolphins. Additionally, I acquired new techniques in communication, patience, and cultural sensitivity, all of which have enriched my professional growth beyond what I initially anticipated."
How do you feel that this job has prepared you for the real world?
"This job has equipped me for the real world by providing extensive hands-on experience with clients through various therapeutic activities. It has familiarized me with a range of conditions, treatment methods, and adaptive equipment used in therapy. Additionally, this internship introduced me to animal-assisted therapy, a growing practice in occupational therapy, which I am interested in pursuing further. Working with clients from diverse backgrounds and different countries has also enhanced my cultural sensitivity and understanding of various beliefs and customs. That is very important when developing therapy plans to ensure the client is comfortable. This experience has been invaluable in preparing me for my future career in occupational therapy."
Did you have an interest in animal-assisted therapy before this?
"Growing up, I had numerous surgeries where I had to stay in family living facilities for months at a time. As a result, I developed a lot of anxiety, and therapy animals like dogs that visited the hospitals always calmed me down. I've always had a passion for animals, and when I learned that animal-assisted therapy is a growing field in occupational therapy, I knew it was an area I wanted to pursue.
As a child, I watched the movie 'Dolphin Tale' countless times and found the story fascinating. I even met Winter, the dolphin with a prosthetic tail from the movie. Once I started my OT journey at The University of Scranton, I discovered that past students did their fieldwork at Island Dolphin Care. I had no idea they offered a program with dolphin-assisted therapy, but I knew it was exactly what I wanted to do.
My hospital, the Paley Institute, is also located in Florida, and my goal after graduation is to work there and establish a partnership with places like Island Dolphin Care. I want to provide other children undergoing difficult surgeries with the opportunity to have unique therapeutic experiences, such as animal assisted therapy with dolphins."
What was your experience like working with children, families and vetERANS with special needs?
"I have had great experiences working with clients with special needs. The families that come are strong, caring, kind, and grateful for this unique experience. It can be emotionally difficult for the clients at times, which is why patience is so important during sessions. Engagement techniques are crucial with younger clients, as they get easily distracted while working on goals. Flexibility is also key, since sessions are highly individualized, allowing for adaptations to activities as needed. Observing client behaviors during sessions helps monitor what works best for them.
My experience working with families made me realize how important family involvement is during therapy sessions. It creates comfort for the client, educates the family on therapy techniques, and highlights the role of dolphin-assisted therapy in the child’s development. Family support and communication are vital for encouraging loved ones, and they can provide valuable insights about the client that benefits the therapy. Family involvement also builds trust among the client, family and therapist.
Working with veterans, particularly those with PTSD (Post-traumatic stress disorder), has been very insightful. I've gained a lot of knowledge about their mental health conditions and the role that dolphin-assisted therapy can play in their treatment journey. PTSD symptoms can be challenging, including anxiety and emotional triggers. Building a safe and supportive environment is crucial for veterans to feel comfortable enough to open up and engage fully during sessions.
Adapting therapeutic approaches to fit each veteran's individual needs has been so important. Some techniques aimed at promoting relaxation, such as mindfulness exercises or guided interactions with the dolphins, have shown promising results in helping veterans manage their symptoms. These approaches not only aim to reduce the intensity of PTSD symptoms but also work toward enhancing their overall well-being."
What has this experience meant to you?
"Overall, this experience has been life changing. I find myself being more relaxed and confident in everything I have learned in the classroom at The University of Scranton. Now that I can apply those skills to such impactful therapies, I know there is so much I can assist and help these clients achieve. Thank you to all my instructors and mentors along the way who helped develop me into the OT I will become. I realized during this experience that all I learned is so important when put into practice and this is exactly what I want to be doing."
