Meet the monkey who befriended a dog and loves to cuddle and watch movies with his owner.
Michael Robison, 45, rescued Winston four years ago after authorities busted an illegal animal broker.
Michael is the founder of SPARTN Sanctuary, a rescue and rehabilitation center for primates, where he has taken in 10 spider monkeys.
Among them, Winston—the youngest—stood out. His sweet and inquisitive personality led him to form a special bond with Michael.
Now, Winston cuddles, naps, and watches movies with Michael. He even enjoys spending time with the family’s Bernedoodle, Bama.
Michael, who runs SPARTN Sanctuary in Nashville, Tennessee said, “Some of the sweetest moments are when Winston cuddles up to watch a movie with me or when he hugs my grandchildren.
“He spends most of his time with his monkey troop but also loves playing with Bama.
“The two are inseparable, often chasing each other around or snuggling together.”
Michael founded SPARTN in 2021 and now cares for 10 spider monkeys in his private sanctuary.
When he took in Winston, the monkey was just a few months old and still nursing.
Michael said: “Winston is unique in both personality and behavior.
“When we got him, he was still nursing and struggling.
“He became a special case, requiring extra care to nurse back to health.
“That’s what led to our strong bond.”
Winston requires constant attention and a specialized diet that includes vegetables, fruit, eggs, chicken, and even shrimp.
Michael said: “People think monkeys make cute pets, but the reality is they’re incredibly demanding.
“They need constant care, a specific diet, and space to play.
“Winston spends 70% of his time with the other monkeys but still needs social interaction with humans.”
Winston lives alongside nine other spider monkeys in an 800-square-foot indoor sunroom attached to Michael’s home, with a 1,000-square-foot outdoor habitat for warmer months.
Caring for the troop comes with challenges—including diaper duty.
Since monkeys lack sphincter control and cannot be toilet trained, Michael changes up to 45 diapers a day.
He said: “I’m the primary one handling diaper changes and cleaning.
“During colder months, it can be as many as 45 changes a day.
“Only one other volunteer and I have the bond and trust necessary to do this. If a stranger tried, the monkeys could potentially become aggressive.”
Running the sanctuary is expensive.
Food alone costs around $400 per week and overall expenses reach up to $20,000 per year.
Michael personally funds most of the costs, as donations cover only about five percent of the budget.
Michael said: “Some groups, like PETA, oppose what we do, which makes fundraising more challenging.
“But we’re expanding to a 20-acre site this year, which will give us more opportunities.”
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