Training a capuchin (Cebus apella) to perform as an aide for a quadriplegic (1982)

Willard, M. J., Dana, K., Stark, L. et al.

Abstract

During the course of a pilot project the investigators developed a set of procedures for teaching a Cebus monkey a variety of helping skills. Given a description of those procedures, a college student with no prior animal training experience was able to teach a naive Cebus apella nine different complex behaviors in 25.5 hr of training over a period of two months. "The capuchins potential to help a paralyzed is exciting. As man and monkey work together daily, constantly practicing old tasks and occasionally adding new ones, the resulting symbiotic relationship promises to be a unique and increasingly complex one."