Woman Claims Monkey is a Service Animal for SAD

You have probably heard of people bringing service animals on airplanes to help with a variety of conditions. When animals are companions for people with mental health problems they are generally referred to as emotional support animals. With the right documentation, someone with social anxiety disorder (SAD) could bring a dog along on a flight, as long as that dog is an emotional support animal.

A woman in Missouri decided to take the concept of a service animal a few steps further. Debby Rose recently sued Wal-Mart (among other organizations) in a bid to be able to bring her pet monkey Richard along while shopping. Rose argued that Richard was a service animal and that she suffered with SAD. The judge ruled in favor of Wal-Mart, arguing that Rose had not received a proper diagnosis or treatment for her condition, and that the monkey posed a health risk to other customers.

In general I am in favor of emotional support animals however I believe that this woman may have crossed the line. What are your thoughts about this case? Vote in the poll below.

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