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Upcoming Events
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CA Celebration
Saturday, Oct. 2nd
Boston Festivale
Saturday, Nov. 6th
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Contact Us
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Helping Hands: Monkey Helpers for the Disabled, Inc.
541 Cambridge Street
Boston, MA 02134
617.787.4419
www.monkeyhelpers.org
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Hi ,
 Happy first day of Fall from Helping Hands! It continues to be a busy time at Monkey College, between going on new monkey helper placements, planning three fundraisers, and our day to day operations. Be sure to check out our special events page to see what we've been up to! I'm so excited to share our feature article with you. One of our recipients has told us what it's like to have a monkey helper live with her in her own words. It is through the support of donors like you that these partnerships happen. We've also featured a very special young woman in our Volunteer Spotlight. Sydney has gone above and beyond and designed a truly unique fundraiser to support Helping Hands. From, ~ Noelle, the staff and monkeys at Helping Hands ~
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In her own words: Life with Amy
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My name is M.K. I was born in Wisconsin in a small northern town
where I have lived for most of my life. My accident happened on July 6, 1986 when I became paralyzed from the
chest down. I found out about Helping
Hands while watching the Sunday Evening News 6 years ago. I kind of
laughed about it and thought it seemed like a far-fetched idea. After reading about the
program I learned that I fit ALL the criteria for receiving a monkey which just
shocked me. When I
decided it was right for me, I got in touch with Megan Talbert of
Helping Hands and was sent an application.
The application process was
quite extensive. When I got the call that
told me I was going to get a monkey I almost fell out of my chair! I can't even describe the excitement I felt at that time, but it
didn't compare to the excited anticipation I felt the day Amy's placement
trainer, Megan, brought her to my home. The instant I saw her I fell
in love.
 Having a monkey helper has given me so much more independence. Amy can reach things on a
shelf or in a drawer and put it back. She turns lights on and off. She can get things out of a refrigerator like a bottle, open it and put a straw
in it. She can put disks in the computer or DVD player. She can open a door, let me through it
and push it closed. She can
scratch an itch on my face and brush my hair. When she hands me something
like a remote or a phone she gives it to me face up. Amy is very loving
towards me and always looks to me for approval, affection, support,
compassion and to meet all of her needs. It is a very symbiotic relationship.
I considered what
it would be like to get a dog versus a monkey service animal. A dog is a wonderful
friend, but for someone that has no feeling below the chest even though I
was able to pet my dog I could never actually feel him. Amy can come up to my level of feeling. She rides on my
shoulder and grooms my hair and I can actually feel her fur and body warmth on
my face and that means more to me than I can even say.
 My
favorite things about Amy: I love it that she always answers me when I
talk to her with a chirp or a squeak. I love it when I'm in another room
and I hear her calling me with a little "oo-oo." I love it when
she cuddles up on my lap and takes a "monk nap." I love it when she gets so silly she lets my mom pick her up by her hind-legs
and swing her upside-down. But my favorite thing is when Amy sits
real close to me and holds my hand, looks straight into my eyes and
smacks her lips, for in monkey language that means "I love
you."
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Monkey Helper News
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| Meet Our Monkeys: Mango  Mango is one of our funniest boys training here at Monkey College. He is not the most handsome monkey, but what he lacks in looks he certainly makes up for in personality!
He and his trainer Natalie became fast friends when Mango had to come back to Monkey College after his recipient passed away. Since he's already fully trained, he is here for for a refresher course while we find another match for him. He loves showing off what a smart boy he is by practicing CD, one of our most complicated tasks!
We really look forward to Mango going to another recipient since we know what a wonderful monkey helper he already is! Click here to support a monkey training at Monkey College.
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Volunteer Spotlight
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Sydney, Age 13
Why did you choose Helping Hands?
As I was thinking about my helping the world project for my upcoming Bat Mitzvah, I decided I wanted to do something to help animals and people. So I started searching Google and I came across Helping Hands. I loved the idea of monkeys helping people, so I decided to continue with this organization.
Have you always been interested in the human-animal bond?
All of my life monkeys have been my favorite animals. I have also always wanted to find ways to help people, so when I found the opportunity to work with both, I was very excited. I have had pets throughout my life. Right now I have two Labradors, a guinea pig, and three frogs.
How did you decide to help?
I created www.monkeyhugs.org with my parents and have designed stuffed animal monkeys to sell and donate all of the money to Helping Hands to raise enough money to fully train and house as many monkeys as we can. Volunteering is important to me because I was always told to do everything you can to help those who are less fortunate.
Inspired by the huge project Sydney has taken on the help us? Then be sure to check out her website and consider purchasing her wonderful monkeys! Thank you, Sydney!
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About Us
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Helping Hands: Monkey Helpers for the Disabled, is a national 501 (c) 3 organization and member of Independent Charities of America. We place specially trained capuchin monkeys with individuals living with severe mobility impairments. Relying on private contributions, Helping Hands provides our service animals and their lifetime support free of charge.
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