Monkeys1
PAST

Helping Hands: Monkey Helpers. Providing help and touching hearts for over forty years.

Monkeys1
PRESENT

Discovering the benefits of innovative technology while caring for our post-service monkeys.

Monkeys1
FUTURE

Exploring and advancing visionary technologies for those living with physical disabilities.

Helping Hands: Monkey Helpers - Our History

1979-2020

Helping Hands: Monkey Helpers for the Disabled, Inc. was founded to raise and train capuchin monkeys to provide daily in-home assistance to people living with spinal cord injury or other mobility impairments.

To learn more, go to The Past

View our Timeline

Helping Hands: Monkey Helpers Today

Our Current Mission

In 2021, we made the difficult decision to cease our training/placement services

As a result, we are transitioning from a service animal model to exploring specific technologies including different types of robotic arms, exoskeletons, adaptive wheelchairs, and assistive technologies that can make homes smart.

Additionally, we are providing a safe, healthy, fulfilling environment for post-service and medically challenged monkeys for the rest of their lives

To learn more, go to The Present

To  support our ongoing efforts, go to Support Us

Helping Hands: Monkey Helpers - Our Future

Innovative Technology

Helping Hands: Monkey Helpers is making a transition in the way it serves people living with physical disabilities, moving away from using service animals and moving into implementing the use of innovative technologies. As we go through this transition, we are guided by these two key principles. First, we will take care of our post-service monkeys until the end of their natural lives. Second, our mission, providing innovative technologies and quality-of-life opportunities to those living with physical disabilities, will remain our compass.

To learn more, go to The Future

Donate2C
WAYS TO GIVE

Helping Hands: Monkey Helpers
is successful because
of the support of our donors.
Thank you!

Donate2C
WAYS TO GIVE

Helping Hands: Monkey Helpers
is successful because
of the support of our donors.
Thank you!

Time to Meet Our Monkeys!

Helping Hands: Monkey Helpers meet the monkeys

The post-service monkeys living at the Monkey Living Center each have distinct personalities, favorite toys or activities, food preferences, bathing routines, and social behaviors. 

Koko LOVES mirrors. She flirts with her own reflection like she is the most beautiful monkey she has ever seen. She does have some of the most amazing tufts on her head!

Nicky is not afraid of anything! In fact, when we got a Roomba at The Monkey Living Center, he was the first monkey to go up to it and press all the buttons to make it go!

Sadie adores her baths. It has to be the right temperature and just the right amount of bubbles, but she will just lounge in the deep water and zone out like she’s at a spa.

Did you know that monkeys can be ticklish? Shelly is a sweet and happy girl who is super ticklish and will roll over laughing if her human even touches her stomach! She’s also quite the artist – she loves to draw!
 
Helping Hands: Monkey Helpers at the Monkey Living Center

This is just a sampling of the characteristics and behaviors we encounter every day. For more stories about our amazing capuchins go to Meet Our Monkeys.

Order your Your Helping Hands 2023 Calendar Now!

We hope that each photo brings a smile to your face knowing that your donation helps provide for these special service animals.

Join us on Saturday, March 25!

A night to honor our post-service monkeys and welcome in our new Innovative Technology Initiative.

Taste a variety of delectable spirits and wines, indulge in delicious hors d’oeuvres and fanciful desserts, while listening to music to get you in the mood to celebrate the innovative assistive technologies Helping Hands will be using to support those living with physical disabilities.

Join us to celebrate our evolution from monkeys to robots!

Buy tickets or become a Sponsor

Volunteer Opportunities

Helping Hands is actively looking for talented people to join our Development Committee and/or our Board of Directors.

Learn more about our volunteer opportunities