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Blog & News

Amputee Counselor’s Dream to Meet Winter the Dolphin Comes True

Inspiration Updated July 29, 2018 Posted April 27, 2018

Special Visit During Limb Loss Awareness Month

Two amputees inspired by Winter the dolphin met their hero at Clearwater Marine Aquarium on Wed., April 11, during Limb Loss Awareness Month.

David Dunville (56) and Ashley Pickerell (26) met through Amputee Coalition, a leading organization on limb loss. Dunville serves as President of the Amputee Firefighter Association, an Amputee Support Coordinator and a mentor for new amputees.

Amputee counselors meet dolphins

Dunville began mentoring Pickerell after her leg was amputated above the knee four years ago. Dunville himself is an above the knee amputee. He was a firefighter for nearly four years until an accident in the fire station in 1999 that eventually led to the amputation of his lower left leg in 2003.

Limb loss awareness counselors

Winter’s Story of Survival Without Her Tail Inspires Amputees

Dunville uses the Dolphin Tale movies to motivate new amputees. Pickerell was so inspired by Winter’s story of survival after losing her tail, it became her dream to meet her. But Pickerell was unable to afford a trip, until now. Dunville reached out to Clearwater Marine Aquarium about her story, and the aquarium worked with Allegiant Air to make her dream a reality.

Allegiant Air, Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s official U.S. airline partner, flew in Dunville and Pickerell from Flint, Michigan for the trip of a lifetime. They met Winter and Hope on the platform wearing “Amputee and Proud” t-shirts.

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249 Windward Passage
Clearwater, FL 33767
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A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR CLEARWATER MARINE AQUARIUM, A FL-BASED NONPROFIT CORPORATION (REGISTRATION NO. CH352), MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE 1-800-435-7352 WITHIN THE STATE OR BY VISITING www.800helpfla.com. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. Federal Tax ID#: 59-2086737.

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