Do Not Monkey Around in Walmart: Walmart Faces Potential Lawsuit

I was listening to the local radio station while doing my freelance writing work. An interesting story caught my attention. Wal-Mart is facing a potential lawsuit for preventing a woman from bringing a monkey as a service animal into their Springfield, Missouri store. The customer that was not allowed in the store is now considering suing Wal-Mart for violation of the American Disabilities Act.

According to the Kansas City Star newspaper report, Debby Rose has had problems at other establishments with not being allowed to bring her service monkey inside. Ms. Rose states that she suffers from public panic attacks due to a social anxiety disorder and the ten year old monkey makes it easier for her to go out in public.

“Health officials in 2006 sent letters to restaurants and grocery stores, advising them not to let Rose in with the monkey.

Rose also alleges she was denied access to Cox Health Systems facilities.

The three entities declined to comment on the lawsuit.”

(Resource: Kansas City Star, July 17, 2008: http://www.kansascity.com/news/breaking_news/story/708770.html)

What really determines a service pet? Should this woman be denied the right to bring a service monkey into establishments? Was the health department wrong in sending those letters?

I think that the health department is devaluing the mental disability. Social anxiety disorders are just as serious as someone needing a dog to help them see if they have a severe visual impairment or visual disability. It is a fine line to draw. From the date of the letter from the health department, she has been dealing with these types of problems now for over two years.

Resources:

Rock 92 Radio Show

http://www.kansascity.com/news/breaking_news/story/708770.html