"Creature Comforts"

       Wow, this article was quite interesting. Never before have I heard of miniature guide horses and better yet, service parrots! I agree with Brea; Rebecca Skloot never gave us a definite solution on what species of animals can be qualified as service animals. I believe that if the animal, exotic or not, should have the chance to help their owner. We should all be about helping each other. I actually find it ridiculous that there is a line between a pet that does “tasks” and “work” and one that provides “comfort”. The task of the pet is to provide the comfort to the owner. We should definitely also consider how the owner, with the disability, feels. For a second, try to step inside the shoes of them. Think about how you would feel with a disability and not being able to bring your pet that keeps you calm and helps you, along with you. I understand that there are health problems and that the public places are worried. But can’t we just get these animals checked up? Prior to certifying them as service animals, just check their health and make sure there’s nothing terribly wrong with them. And as for the other people, it’s not like the service animals are doing any harm to them. They’re simply helping their owner; pretty sure they just catch people’s eyes. On page 9, third paragraph; Skloot quotes, “…If they need a wheelchair, a dog, a miniature horse or any other device or animal, society has to accept that, because those things are, in fact, part of that person.” I strongly believe in this. I think, we as society, have to just accept that there are such animals that are used as service animals. Those certain animals have become part of the owner. And honestly, I’d rather have a parrot around to calm Jim Eggers down than have him blow up and have his “homicidal thoughts.”