“After a few years of being confined to a wheelchair, I become very depressed and introverted,” Craig recalled. “I never wanted to leave the house.  A friend of mine wanted to help me get out of my depressive ‘funk’ and thought an animal companion might help. Once my friend told me her ‘plot’ to find an animal assistant, I informed her that I was allergic to dogs and cats and that an animal helper would not work for me. Then, she came across the Helping Hands Monkey Helpers website and said to me, ‘What about a monkey?’”

Once he was matched with Minnie, Craig’s whole attitude changed. “I started focusing on Minnie and her antics and stopped focusing on my situation of being immobile.  I now had the responsibility to care for a monkey as well as Minnie allowing me greater independence.  I no longer was anxious to stay at home alone.  Minnie became my ‘lifeline’ if I dropped a phone, needed a drink of water, a snack, or just a good laugh. She helped me regain confidence, security, independence and my sense of humor.”

Craig’s favorite thing about having Minnie with him was the companionship. “Yes, my freedom and security increased but living alone and paralyzed can be scary and quite lonely. With a monkey in the house – never. Sometimes I would find her on top of the refrigerator, on my bed, or in the living room looking at passing cars. We sat outside together in the California sun and groomed each other.”