HH Monkey Helpers for the Disabled

Helping Hands: Monkey Helpers for the Disabled, Inc. is a nonprofit human services organization that was originally founded to raise and train capuchin monkeys to provide daily assistance to people living with spinal cord injuries or other mobility impairments live more independent and engaged lives. In 2021, we made the difficult decision to cease our training/placement services. There were many reasons for this decision. Technology has advanced to such a level that people with severe mobility limiting issues are able to access resources far beyond what a Monkey can provide. Now the organization, staying true to its mission of providing services to those living with physical disabilities, primarily spinal cord injuries and multiple sclerosis, as well as other debilitating injuries and illnesses, is transforming from a service animal model to using innovative technologies - a seismic and exciting transformation. To assist the process and continue to transition the organization is: - engaging in research of technology that is available in the areas of robotics and virtual reality. - looking for ways to influence the development of new technologies that are important to those living with physical disabilities. - bringing on advisory committees with experts in the field to advise us on technologies that are available for those living with physical disabilites and/or may be looking to invent technologies for those living with physical disabilities. - relying on its institutional knowledge of how the organization has trained the monkeys and what their recipients needs as they transition to a new phase. - collaborating with technology companies, universities, entrepreneurs as well as new clients to experiment with robotics and virtual reality that will aid individuals living with a physical disability. -specific technologies under consideration include different types of robotic arms, exoskeletons, adaptive wheelchairs, and assistive technologies. As a result, our mission has shifted to focusing on quality support for all of our retired monkeys in a state-of-the art care facility. We are committed to providing a safe, healthy, fulfilling environment for all our post-service and medically-challenged monkeys for the rest of their lives, including monkeys in our Monkey living center in boston as well as our monkeys placed with our recipients and those living in special care/foster homes.