Creature Comforts

I had known about service animals of many kinds before reading this article.  However, I had never heard of using exotic animals as service animals of any kind before and I definitely never would have though of using a horse as replacement for a seeing-eye dog.  The article provided a new insight on an issue that I thought was more black and white and decidedly let service animals do their job without any controversy.  Skloot delves into both sides of the issue; how animals of all kinds can help humans cope with different disorders, as well as the danger these animals could pose to the public and the legalities of having these animals.  The real stories the author mentions help bring to life who these service animals impact.  The most interesting part I find about the article is the different legalities and concerns about these animals that are helping people be able to cope with normal life.  I had never heard of using a capuchin monkey to help quadriplegics, nor had I ever heard of people with psychological disorders needing to explain why they have their emotional support animals.  You would never ask a person with a physical disability why they need their service animal with them, so why would you ask someone who uses their animal for a purpose that’s not so obvious such as an animal that can anticipate seizures or panic attacks.  I understand the concern about making sure these animals are obtained legally and the concern of animals bringing in pathogens into public places.  People with service animals should not be limited because of a disability.  These animals help them to have a more normal life so why should we deny them the right to live a normal life as long as the animal is behaved and clean.  Are animals really any dirtier or less behaved than small children that are always allowed into public places?