Sanctuary for monkeys now a haven for veterans with PTSD

JOHN Richard barely slept on Monday night, kept awake by traumatic memories from his three years in the US Army. He struggled to get out of bed the next morning, so he drove to his recent haven: a monkey sanctuary.

- KYLE MELNICK

There, Louie, a 1-year-old black-handed spider monkey, wrapped his arms around Richard’s neck and chirped into his ear. Richard felt his heart rate slow.

“It just brings a relaxation over me just instantly,” Richard said.

Richard has sought ways to treat his post-traumatic stress disorder since he was discharged more than three decades ago. Since he began volunteering with the sanctuary in southeastern Mississippi last fall, Richard has found his most effective coping mechanism: spending time with monkeys.

April Stewart, a US Air Force veteran, founded the Gulf Coast Primate Sanctuary in October to care for primates in need. But the sanctuary also has provided an unintended benefit to about 30 volunteers, some of whom are veterans like Richard.

The result? Monkeys who have been surrendered and people who have suffered trauma are helping each other learn to trust again.

“There’s something magical that’s happening here,” said Stewart, 51. “There’s such a peace that we have.”