Florida

A dolphin named Molly, who is in her early 50's, leaps out of the water while working with trainers at the Dolphin Research Center in the Florida Keys, Fla., Dec. 2, 2013.

Geriatric marine mammal care is becoming more important today as Molly and other dolphins in human care are living longer than their counterparts in the wild.

To meet these growing needs, the center has established the College of Marine Mammal Professionals.

Credit: Lynne Sladky/AP

Florida

Molly, who is in her early 50's is given water through a tube by a trainer at the Dolphin Research Center in the Florida Keys, Fla.

Molly can't see very well and requires special care.

The staff at the Dolphin Research Center in the Florida Keys is teaching her to respond to verbal and touch-related signals before she loses her sight completely.

Credit: Lynne Sladky/AP

Florida

Students with the College of Marine Mammal Professions place their hands on Karen, a blind and aging sea lion, during a training session at the Dolphin Research Center in the Florida Keys, Dec. 2, 2013.

Most marine animal caregivers learn through internships, acquiring such skills as how to prepare an animal's meal. The research center's program teaches advanced skills such as how to calculate a diet based on the animal's age, health status or the season. Students learn how to create a diet for a nursing or pregnant mammal.

Credit: Lynne Sladky/AP

Florida

Karen, a blind and aging sea lion, follows senior trainer Kelly Jayne Rodriguez for a training session at the Dolphin Research Center in the Florida Keys, Dec. 2, 2013.

Karen has to use her sensitive whiskers to feel her way around her habitat.

Credit: Lynne Sladky/AP

Florida

Kirsten Donald, education director at the Dolphin Research Center, teaches a class at the center in the Florida Keys, Dec. 2, 2013.

Credit: Lynne Sladky/AP

Florida

Senior trainer Kelly Jayne Rodriguez, left, works with a dolphin named Molly, who is in her early 50's, as students look on at the Dolphin Research Center in the Florida Keys, Dec. 2, 2013.

Credit: Lynne Sladky/AP

Florida

Senior trainer Kelly Jayne Rodriguez gives a kiss to Karen, a blind and aging sea lion, during a training session at the Dolphin Research Center in the Florida Keys, Fla., Dec. 2, 2013.

Credit: Lynne Sladky/AP

Florida

Students with the College of Marine Mammal Professions watch a dolphin named Molly, who is in her early 50's, swim during a training session at the Dolphin Research Center in the Florida Keys, Dec. 2, 2013.

Credit: Lynne Sladky/AP