Cheryl J
techmanHelping Hands Monkeys
May 9th 2009 04:54
Helping Hands is an organisation located in Boston Massachusetts in the US that trains, and provides, Capuchin Monkeys to care for and assist the physically disabled. As well as providing their mobility-impaired owners with day to day tasks, they also give the gift of love and companionship.
Although extensive research is always being carried out to seek a cure for spinal cord injuries, a cure has yet to be found. That’s where these wonderful little ‘helping hands’ come into the picture. For those who need help doing things they cannot do for themselves, these wonderful little monkeys provide that help.
From the Helping Hands Website:
A monkey's natural antics and playfulness lead to the synergy between a monkey helper and his or her companion. Our monkeys use their hands to perform functional tasks that no other assistance animals can accomplish. We have found that the joy and emotional bond between a monkey and a person is equally strong and fulfilling for both. Monkeys are nurtured, stimulated, educated, rewarded and loved, as is the person. Our commitment is to provide lifetime support for all monkeys in our program.
To read more about this innovative program CLICK HERE.
Like Guide Dogs for the blind, these monkeys provide assistance and companionship that is quite unique. They are not little slaves, they genuinely enjoy what they do and it is rewarding for both the helper and the person being helped. There is always an unmistakable bond of love that grows between these wonderful animals and their owners. They make a huge impact on the lives of the person they are helping allowing them to live more independently. They also have much longer life spans than dogs and because of their unique abilities, can perform amazingly complex tasks that only hands can provide.
I think this organization is truly marvelous, and through them, many lives are being changed for the better.
There are links on the site if you wish to donate or volunteer. What a truly worthy cause.
To see the Monkey College in action just watch the video below, it's really worth a look.
More information from the website:
• Monkeys are born at our closed colony at Southwick's Zoo in the Boston area.
• Monkeys are raised in volunteer foster homes until they move to the training center.
• Monkeys are monitored by foster family advisors, who regularly review the monkey's behavioral and developmental status and provide health, nutrition, and behavioral support.
• Monkeys are educated at the Helping Hands Carvel Foundation Training Center in Boston where they are taught the essential helping tasks, then matched by personality and needs to a particular recipient, and finally prepared for tasks specific to the needs of the selected recipient.
• Monkeys are placed in the home of the recipient during a special placement week that includes eight days of set-up and on-site training by the placement team, which also furnishes customized equipment and adaptations to the recipient's living space.
• Each monkey is supported post-placement by a placement specialist (including life-long health and behavioral support) and training for new tasks, when needed.
• Monkeys are provided with lifetime medical care overseen and paid for by Helping Hands, including all necessary care for chronic illnesses and geriatric care, by a specially selected network of veterinary and human doctors.
• Monkeys are given all necessary respite and retirement care, if needed.
All information, including picture and video, is from the Monkeyhelpers.org website and all copyright belongs to them.
From the Helping Hands Website:
A monkey's natural antics and playfulness lead to the synergy between a monkey helper and his or her companion. Our monkeys use their hands to perform functional tasks that no other assistance animals can accomplish. We have found that the joy and emotional bond between a monkey and a person is equally strong and fulfilling for both. Monkeys are nurtured, stimulated, educated, rewarded and loved, as is the person. Our commitment is to provide lifetime support for all monkeys in our program.
To read more about this innovative program CLICK HERE.
Like Guide Dogs for the blind, these monkeys provide assistance and companionship that is quite unique. They are not little slaves, they genuinely enjoy what they do and it is rewarding for both the helper and the person being helped. There is always an unmistakable bond of love that grows between these wonderful animals and their owners. They make a huge impact on the lives of the person they are helping allowing them to live more independently. They also have much longer life spans than dogs and because of their unique abilities, can perform amazingly complex tasks that only hands can provide.
I think this organization is truly marvelous, and through them, many lives are being changed for the better.
There are links on the site if you wish to donate or volunteer. What a truly worthy cause.
To see the Monkey College in action just watch the video below, it's really worth a look.
More information from the website:
• Monkeys are born at our closed colony at Southwick's Zoo in the Boston area.
• Monkeys are raised in volunteer foster homes until they move to the training center.
• Monkeys are monitored by foster family advisors, who regularly review the monkey's behavioral and developmental status and provide health, nutrition, and behavioral support.
• Monkeys are educated at the Helping Hands Carvel Foundation Training Center in Boston where they are taught the essential helping tasks, then matched by personality and needs to a particular recipient, and finally prepared for tasks specific to the needs of the selected recipient.
• Monkeys are placed in the home of the recipient during a special placement week that includes eight days of set-up and on-site training by the placement team, which also furnishes customized equipment and adaptations to the recipient's living space.
• Each monkey is supported post-placement by a placement specialist (including life-long health and behavioral support) and training for new tasks, when needed.
• Monkeys are provided with lifetime medical care overseen and paid for by Helping Hands, including all necessary care for chronic illnesses and geriatric care, by a specially selected network of veterinary and human doctors.
• Monkeys are given all necessary respite and retirement care, if needed.
All information, including picture and video, is from the Monkeyhelpers.org website and all copyright belongs to them.
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Comment by Morgan Bell
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Comment by Jason King
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He looks like a scary little monster who likes to eat brains. Hahaha
I do find the service amazing and think the bond would be awesome - but I am going to have nightmares tonight.
Comment by Lilla
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Living and *playing* around the disabled as I have done now for a few years, I have seen this coming for a while now, through various trial programs and can only marvel at the tremedous heartwarming liberty these humble, little creatures can bring to so many, and not always the disabled, but their parents and carers aswell who work 24/7 in their care.
In thinking of a friend of my daughters who has to be turned in her bed every night about 8 times, I am thinking that prhaps largermonkeys could be trained too?
So many new roads to travel yet.
What a lovely heartwarming post.
Lilla ..
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Although, I have to agree with Jason. What if.....
Damn dirty apes! (Ok someone had to say it)
Seriously though, amazing!
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