Helping Heroes

Marine Corporal Tim Jeffers, a veteran, gets by with help from a little, furry friend.

Courtesy Helping Hands

Marine Corporal Jeffers in Iraq in 2006

Courtesy Helping Hands

Jeffers and Webster at home. “We are best buddies,” says Jeffers.

Courtesy Helping Hands

NOVEMBER 11, 2016

Helping Heroes

Some veterans with serious injuries are getting a hand from specially trained monkeys.

BY JENNIFER MARINO WALTERS

Marine Corporal Tim Jeffers loves living with his friend Webster in San Diego, California. Like many roommates, the two like to watch TV together, occasionally munching on snacks like Cheetos. But Webster is no ordinary housemate. He’s a monkey.

Why does this military veteran, injured in the war in Iraq, live with a capuchin monkey? It turns out that the monkeys make great service animals. Webster can use a remote to turn on the TV, and he does household tasks like turning lights on and off and fetching dropped objects. But Webster also helps Jeffers in another way—by lifting his spirits.

“It’s really nice that Webster’s excited to help me and do things for me,” says Jeffers. “When you drop something and can’t pick it up, the monkey is there to do it and you don’t have to go and ask someone. It makes a huge difference in my independence.”

Honoring Veterans

On May 18, 2006, Jeffers was serving in Iraq when a bomb exploded near him. He was severely wounded, losing both of his legs and his right eye. Jeffers’s life changed dramatically. He is one of the more than 52,000 members of the U.S. armed forces who have been wounded while serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. On Veterans Day, the nation honors them and all U.S. veterans, or people who have served in the U.S. military. This national holiday is observed each year on November 11.

A Veteran’s Best Friend

Veterans like Jeffers who have life-changing injuries need help rebuilding their lives. That’s why an organization called Helping Hands trains capuchin monkeys to assist people, especially veterans, with disabilities that make it hard for them to perform everyday activities. Capuchin monkeys are perfect for the job because they are extremely intelligent, can easily hold household objects, and are able to bond with humans. The monkeys spend years in training, living with a foster family and even attending the Monkey College in Boston, Massachusetts.

Each year, Helping Hands places 10 to 12 monkeys with people who need them, free of charge. The monkeys tend to develop deep bonds with their new owners, who must care for them in return. They need to feed the monkeys and make sure they get exercise. Caring for Webster helps Jeffers feel capable and independent. “Although I’m injured, [Webster] looks up to me as his protector. I don’t feel so depressed with him around,” says Jeffers. “I would do anything for this little guy, just like he would do anything for me.”

Jeffers and Webster love to goof around and have fun together. “I don’t see [Webster] as an animal,” says Jeffers. “I think of him as a best friend.”

Why do you think they would use a helping monkey and not a service dog? Can you think of another animal that could help?