A woman from Springfield, Massachusetts has accused Wal-Mart, local health officials and Cox Health Systems of discriminating against Richard, her 10-year-old bonnet macaque. Debby Rose contends that Richard is no ordinary monkey but that he is a service animal that helps her curb public panic attacks that she says occur as a result of her social anxiety disorder.

Apparently, back in 2006, Health officials sent letters to restaurants and grocery stores, advising them not to let Rose in with the monkey. Rose also alleges that she and Richard were denied access to the offices of Cox Health Systems.

Rose's argument is that Springfield-Greene County Health Department lack the authority to decide that Richard is not a service animal under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Perhaps the social anxiety disorder is the least of Ms Rose's health problems.

AP