Helping Hands: Monkey Helpers

In 1979, Helping Hands: Monkey Helpers was founded to help adults with spinal cord injuries and other mobility impairments in the U.S. live more independent and engaged lives. This was accomplished by providing individuals and their families, free of charge, with a unique service animal: a highly trained capuchin monkey to help with daily tasks.

For the last 42 years the only organization of this kind, Helping Hands, raised and trained these special service animals, carefully matched them with appropriate recipients across the nation, and provided active support for the duration of each placement. The organization also provides the highest level of care for all monkeys in the program throughout their lifetimes.

Due to changes in society, including 38 out of 50 states prohibiting primates in homes, Helping Hands is now welcoming many older service monkeys back to the Helping Hands home. Additionally, as the service monkeys retire, and placements in homes cease, the organization is undergoing a major transformation as it begins to prepare for the next forty years. The organization is undertaking an exciting strategic re-visioning and re-branding campaign, while also conducting a Building Fund/Capital Campaign to support renovating the facility for retiring service animals.