Though a bit of a read -- and it's actually a really *great* and funny (but troubling) read -- this New Yorker article shows how easy and ridiculous the whole comfort animal thing has become. The author shows how easy it is to obtain a certificate and then proceeds to bring the most absurd animals around, including an alpaca, turtle, snake, etc. --
http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/20...0/pets-allowed
I'm all about allowing people who have serious medical conditions, including anxiety, that affect their ability to fly or get around -- this includes vets who might need comfort animals after coming home with serious PTSD -- but there is a point at which this becomes a little over the top. Don't ask me where to draw the line because I don't know where it would be.