Maybe we’ll cross paths sometime when all of us are at the aquarium sometime. She’s a favorite of ours, for sure! Thank you, Cozi, for taking the time to talk with us. While we were already pretty big fans of Cozi and her work, I think it’s safe to say that we’re even bigger fans now. It was pretty neat to hear how much she loves Clearwater Marine Aquarium and continues to support their efforts however she can. And she said it several times throughout their conversation. But Mihret was especially excited because not only is Cozi in the Dolphin Tale movies, but she’s also in one of Mihret’s favorite Disney Channel movies: Freaky Friday! Mihret asked her several questions, including “what’s your favorite color?” She was quite tickled when Cozi said “yellow,” because that’s also Aly’s favorite color! Mihret was very excited to talk with Cozi. They had arranged for us to FaceTime with Cozi Zuehlsdorff, who played Hazel in both Dolphin Tale movies! The CEO of Clearwater Marine Aquarium, David Yates, came in with an iPad. When we returned from lunch, we met in the office again. So we went out to learn about Nicholas the Dolphin, then walked down the street to grab a quick bite of lunch. While we were in the office, we found out about the special meeting that had been arranged for us. He encouraged us to make ourselves at home, and to even take a seat behind the director’s desk. And that’s a great thing because Winter and Hope are such an inspiration to so many people across the country, and even around the world!Īnd who knew a light up fidget spinner would attract the dolphins? Well, Bill did! And then he gave it to Mihret to use and then take home!Īfter our tour of the facility, Bill brought us into the office. It will also be much more visitor-friendly. They’re in the middle of a giant expansion with improved housing for their permanent residents. And it certainly wasn’t designed for people with disabilities. It was never built with visitors in mind. The aquarium’s facility was originally a waste water treatment plant. Pretty cool, huh? That was just the beginning.īill gave us a tour of the rest of the facility, sharing Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s story, how A Dolphin Tale and Dolphin Tale literally changed the organization’s outlook, and how they’re using their increased fame to do a whole lot more good in the area. They provided a photographer who took pictures throughout the experience. Winter and her prosthetic tail has been such an inspiration to so many kids with physical disabilities and disabled veterans that the staff knows how to make sure you have a memorable experience. These encounters are nothing new for the aquarium. It was an experience of a lifetime for all three of them. Aiden and Aly were allowed to join Mihret on the platform as she fed and played with Hope. Hope was ready to play and show off a little for Mihret. So we quickly ditched our beach plans and allowed our hosts to surprise us over and over again. When Bill greeted us in the parking garage, he told us they had some great things planned for us, and we later found out that a surprise had been arranged for 1 p.m. When we arrived Monday morning, we thought we were just going to have a short session with Hope and then head on our way to Clearwater Beach. Winter no longer does hands-on encounters, but they agreed that Mihret should meet Hope. When we found out that Mihret had been granted a wish by Indiana Children’s Wish Fund, Christy reached out to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, home to Winter and Hope, to see if we could arrange a Meet & Greet for Mihret and one of the dolphins. And it was just he very beginning of what might have been our best day ever. And he was the best tour guide we’ve ever had. “You must be Mihret,” a bald gentleman smiled and shouted across the parking garage of Clearwater Marine Aquarium.
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