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  • From: Carrie McLaren <carrie AT stayfreemagazine.org>
  • To: monkeywire AT franklin.metalab.unc.edu
  • Subject: Easter Seals provides therapy for disabled orangutan
  • Date: Sun, 24 Mar 2002 12:18:01 -0500


The Associated Press

March 20, 2002, Wednesday, BC cycle

HEADLINE: Easter Seals and zoo provide disabled orangutan therapy for cerebral palsy

DATELINE: MIAMI

An Easter Seals chapter and a zoo have teamed up to provide physical therapy for an orangutan with cerebral palsy.

The physical therapist for 21-month-old Millie performs treatment on her own time using money from a fund-raiser that benefits both Easter Seals Miami-Dade and Parrot Jungle, the private zoo where the monkey lives. "She's currently the only documented case in orangutans of cerebral palsy," said Donna Peyton Lawrence, spokeswoman for Easter Seals Miami-Dade.

Millie receives therapy twice a week for an hour a session to help with weakness, poor balance and slow movement. She had trouble grasping objects because the condition left her fists permanently clenched.

After six weeks, "she's sitting up and climbing and more pro-active," said Mary Inhoffer, Millie's therapist. "She's just a little kid who needs some work."

No children go without treatment because of the ape's sessions, Easter Seals said.





  • Easter Seals provides therapy for disabled orangutan, Carrie McLaren, 03/24/2002

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