Capuchin
monkeys can be trained to help people. These monkeys have been used by
organ grinders for decades. A psychologist and an occupational therapist
had a great idea in 1979. They believed that since these monkeys have
hands very similar to human hands, they can easily perform simple tasks
with their hands. They would be excellent animals to help with paralyzed
people.
Capuchin monkeys have been trained to help people who are quadriplegics. Quadriplegics are people who cannot move their arms, hands, and legs. The monkey becomes great friends with his/her owner. They can do things as routine as brushing hair, turning on or off lights, opening doors, retrieving objects (such as a remote control), doing housework, and serving food.
These monkeys can help brighten the disabled person's life by providing companionship and friendship. Many of the disabled people are left alone for many hours of the day since their families cannot always stay around with them all of the time. Young monkeys are adopted by families and raised much like a child. Because of the way they are raised, they become affectionate and content. When the monkey is old enough, it is sent to the Helping Hands Training Center in Boston for the formal training.
The monkeys learn many different tasks in their training, and are then paired with a disabled person based on what they do best and what the disabled person needs the most. The monkeys are rewarded for their good behavior during their training with food, drink and lots of praise. Even though it costs about $25,000 to breed, train and place a monkey, Helping Hands does not charge the disabled person for the monkey and the person gets to keep the monkey for its lifetime. The organization counts on contributions to keep the program going.
