Guide Snakes a No No, Guide Ponies a Go

Thursday, 20 January 2011 | by Pat's Picks

In Portland, public transportation officials are trying to end a rule that lets disabled riders travel with cats, monkeys, snakes, chickens—basically anything defined as a service animal. Under the new rules, says the Oregonian, only two species would fall under the category of service animals: dogs and miniature horses. Apparently, miniature horses work well as companions to the disabled because they are easy to train, have excellent vision and often live past 30. They are also herd animals and are therefore used to crowds. One Portland bus driver interviewed by the paper was skeptical: “What’s the definition of miniature? Is Roy Rogers going to come on board with a little Shetland pony?”