Illinois Senate: Allow mini horses as service animals
Associated Press May 15, 2012 2:46PM
Three-day-old pinto stallion named Einstein born at Tiz a miniature Horse Farm Friday feeds with its mother Tiz Fenisse in Barnstead, N.H., Sunday, April 25,2010. The diminutive horse born in New Hampshire could lay claim to the world record for lightweight foal. The pinto stallion named Einstein weighed just 6 pounds and measured 14 inches in height when he was born Friday in Barnstead, N.H. Those proportions fit a human baby just about right but are downright tiny for horse, even a miniature breed like Einstein. (AP Photo/Jim Cole)
Updated: June 17, 2012 8:17AM
The Illinois Senate approved a measure Tuesday that would add miniature horses to the list of approved service animals allowed to accompany people with disabilities to school and stores and other public places.
State law now requires businesses and other public places to allow reasonable access and service to disabled people with trained guide dogs.
The bill approved Tuesday by a 40-11 vote and sent on to the House would also allow small equestrian guides to assist their owners with vision, hearing, seizure alert, psychiatric, autism or other disabilities.
Miniature horses already are allowed as service animals by federal rules. AP
