I am not a 'fan' of monkeys, but here ya go! Don.
Subject: FW: Resource for those with SCI The staff at Helping Hands: Monkey Helpers for the Disabled (www.monkeyhelpers.org) has witnessed powerful changes that can occur when we place an individually selected and trained service monkey with their own human partner. Helping Hands: Monkey Helpers for the Disabled is a national organization founded in 1979. We have placed over 160 monkeys to date and have monkeys available for placement right now. Our service animals are trained to help those living with spinal cord injuries and other conditions that result in significant mobility impairment. Our small (6-9 pound) capuchin monkeys are taught to use their skillful hands and intellect to perform fine motor skills that their human partners can’t. Service monkeys can open bottles, insert straws into cups, open cupboards, turn pages, scratch itches, retrieve fallen objects (cell phones, help devises), push buttons (computer, TV/DVD/light switches), and correct the positioning of hands and feet onto a wheelchair. Working with their monkey, our recipients can achieve more independence within their home environments. Just as important, the companionship offered by a service animal is unique and mutually beneficial to person and monkey. Helping Hands does not charge any fees to our recipients for training and placing an animal. Will you keep this resource in mind as you meet with the people in your support group? Our eligibility requirements are attached, and we review every potential candidate carefully. Please call or email me with your questions. Sincerely, Jaye M. van Dussen Applicant Recruitment and Outreach Manager Helping Hands: Monkey Helpers for the Disabled, Inc 541 Cambridge Street l Allston, MA 02134 617-787-4419 x130 www.monkeyhelpers.org -- This message and its attachments may be confidential and may contain information which is protected by copyright. If it is not clear that you are the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you have received this transmittal in error; any review, dissemination, distribution, or copying of this transmittal is strictly prohibited. If you suspect that you have received this communication in error, please notify us immediately by telephone at 617-787-4419 ext.101 or e-mail at [email protected] and immediately delete this message and all its attachments. Any content of this message and its attachments that does not clearly relate to the official business of Helping Hands Monkey Helpers for the Disabled, Inc. must be taken not to have been sent or endorsed by it.
