Why not use dolphins? Years of research has shown just how intelligent they are, and a specialized holodeck could give them a completely-appropriate habitat to live in and space to socialize with each other. What's so offensive about that? If they are treated humanely, I don't see a problem with it.

And if you read MY rant about this, you'll notice that I'm annoyed that the apparent reaction to anything finally improving after getting rid of crappy stories and writing that fans hated ... is to cancel it. WTF? When it's GETTING BETTER? I was actually starting to like it!