I think that dolphins and other kind of animals like horses can help people with many different kind of health diseases.
Really, I don't know the reason but perhaps I suposse it could be related with our past in common with others mammals.
I would like to believe that Nikki was helped to speak and it is not a false notice.
My girlfriend is a psychologist who works with autistic children and she gets good results working with horses.
Perhaps Nikki's mother got the money from family and close friends and this is what I would do if I would have to raise a big amount of money for something like that.