Woman looks to monkey for relief from panic attacks.
This is the story of Rose, a Missouri panic sufferer who uses a monkey named Richard as a service animal. From the link:
Richard helps Rose cope with a debilitating anxiety disorder that can cause high blood pressure, racing heartbeat and panic attacks. When Richard is by Rose's side, she's virtually free of symptoms and doesn't need medication. But not everyone in Rose's town is in support of her unconventional form of therapy.
But the story's more complicated than that. Apparently, her neighbors aren't all pleased with having Richard around all the time:
Unhappy with Richard's constant presence, members of Rose's county started filing complaints with the health department, who then forced Rose to stop taking Richard into supermarkets and restaurants.
The health department says the monkey doesn't fall under the guidelines of a service animal. Kevin Gipson, director of the Springfield Greene County Health Department, believes Richard could pose a public health risk.
How the story's going to resolve is unclear, but here's what Rose has to say about the situation:
"If I have to choose walking around with Richard and meeting his needs and caring for him and keeping him clean and healthy as opposed to taking Valium or Paxil, I choose Richard," she said.
Earlier discussion of service animals
here.
Woman looks to monkey for relief from panic attacks.
This is the story of Rose, a Missouri panic sufferer who uses a monkey named Richard as a service animal. From the link:
But the story's more complicated than that. Apparently, her neighbors aren't all pleased with having Richard around all the time:
How the story's going to resolve is unclear, but here's what Rose has to say about the situation:
Earlier discussion of service animals here.