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

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Abstract

Initial results of a small pilot project indicate thatCebus monkeys have the potential to serve as animal aides for quadriplegics. During the course of the pilot project the investigators developed a set of procedures for teaching aCebus 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 naiveCebus apella nine different complex behaviors in 25.5 hr of training over a period of two months.

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References

  • Honig, W. &J. E. R. Staddon (eds.), 1977.Handbook of Operant Behavior. Prentice-Hall, New Jersey.

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Author information

Author notes

  1. Mary Joan Willard

    Present address: Animal Institute, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, 10461, Bronx, New York, New York, U.S.A.

  2. Karen Dana

    Present address: , 62 South Street, 02167, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, U.S.A.

  3. Lori Stark

    Present address: Psychology Department, University of West Virginia, 26506, Morgantown, West Virginia, U.S.A.

  4. Jayne Owen

    Present address: Neuropsychology Department, Tufts New England Medical Center, 171 Harrison Avenue, 02111, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A.

  5. Judi Zazula

    Present address: Rehabilitation Medicine, Tufts New England Medical Center, 171 Harrison Avenue, 02111, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A.

  6. Paul Corcoran

    Present address: Boston Veterans Administration Hospital, Rehabilitation Medicine, 150 South Huntington Avenue, 02130, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Tufts Primate Project, USA

    Mary Joan Willard, Karen Dana, Lori Stark, Jayne Owen, Judi Zazula & Paul Corcoran

Authors
  1. Mary Joan Willard
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  2. Karen Dana
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  3. Lori Stark
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  4. Jayne Owen
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  5. Judi Zazula
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  6. Paul Corcoran
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Additional information

This research was funded by the Paralyzed Veterans of America and by the National Science Foundation Grant No. PFR-800, 1936.

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Willard, M.J., Dana, K., Stark, L. et al. Training a capuchin (Cebus apella) to perform as an aide for a quadriplegic. Primates 23, 520–532 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02373963

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02373963

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