Delivering In-Water Training for Monterey Aquatics

From a near-drowning experience that forever changed one family, to the thriving Monterey Aquatic Therapy Center, Swim Angelfish has been a proud supporter in Patricia Silva’s transformative journey. We’ve been by her side since the very beginning, watching her passion evolve into a vital resource for the community.

Recently, we returned to Monterey, California, to catch up with the team and deliver their second in-water staff training, a testament to their continued growth and dedication.

The Start of their Adaptive Aquatics Journey

She started Monterey Aquatic Therapy Center in November of 2020. We were able to support Patricia and get her instructors and therapists certified in the Adaptive Swim Whisperers® Program. We were even able to award them with funding from our OAPP scholarship to help get the online Swim Whisperers training for all of their staff.

After a few years, Patricia invested in bringing Ailene and Cindy to her facility for impactful in-person, in-water training with her instructors and clients in September 2022.

Their talented team of instructors refined handling techniques, and ways to progress lessons that got instant results in clients they were struggling with.

Patricia Silva and Monterey Aquatic Therapy Center Team with Mayor Pro Tempore Joe Amelio

Making an Impact for Special Needs Swim

Now, three years later, we were able to return to deliver a second in-water training workshop.

Once again, we were able to impact her growing team of 18 instructors with new ideas for pacing and progressing their lessons, prompting swim strokes and impacting water safety in every lesson.

Take a sneak peek into this in-water workshop and get inspired to host your own in-person training with us, for your Swim Whisperers® certified team.

We timed our training with the ribbon cutting event for the program’s new expansion. To meet growing demand in their local community, they have purchased additional space to make their pool even larger. The Chamber of Commerce as well as many other officials from the town of Monterey and Carmel were present. It was an honor to be there with them to celebrate their success.

Growing with Purpose

Currently Monterey Aquatic Therapy is seeing about 330 swimmers with special needs weekly. With the new pool space, increased staff and additional training this number will be increasing, and we couldn’t be prouder of them.

The ripples we are making by training instructors across the States to impact their community, is creating a wave of change in water safety for this vulnerable population of swimmers with special needs. Join us in making an impact in your community!

Ailene Tisser, MA, PT, Founder

Ailene Tisser, a pediatric Physical Therapist with over 30 years of experience and co-founder of Swim Angelfish® and the Swim Whisperers® method, specializes in aquatic therapy and adaptive swim for children with special needs. Trained in NDT, DIR/Floortime, and certified as an Autism Specialist and Primitive Reflex Specialist she fosters water safety, confidence, and independence in her young clients. Ailene is also passionate about educating aquatic professionals, setting a standard of excellence for adaptive aquatics training and professional development.

Cindy Freedman, MOTR, Founder

Cindy, MS, OTR/L is an occupational and recreational therapist with over 30 years of experience specializing in pediatrics and aquatics. Driven by a passion for helping children with special needs reach their full potential, Cindy co-founded Swim Angelfish, an organization dedicated to providing adaptive swim and aquatic therapy services as well as professional training. Her expertise in sensory integration, reflex repatterning, and aquatics, coupled with her love for water and experience as a national champion diver, has enabled her to make a profound impact on the lives of countless children. Cindy is certified as an Autism Specialist by IBCCES, and shows an unwavering commitment to improving the lives of children with special needs.