As Service Animals For The Disabled
Some organizations train capuchin monkeys as monkey helpers to assist quadriplegics and other people with severe spinal cord injuries or mobility impairments. After being socialized in a human home as infants, the monkeys undergo extensive training before being placed with a quadriplegic. Around the house, the monkeys help out by doing tasks including microwaving food, washing the quadriplegic's face, and opening drink bottles. For safety and the possibility of learning through operant condition methods using positive punishment, the quadriplegics had the ability to deliver a warning tone or 0.5 second shock to the monkey. As with all primates, monkeys are never to be trusted fully with a human life in an environment they find demanding or where their needs aren't being met. In at least one study, the monkey completed all tasks and punishment was used only in the learning stage.
Read more about this topic: Pet Monkey
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