"They’re all showing up in stores and in restaurants, which is perfectly legal because the Americans With Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) requires that service animals be allowed wherever their owners want to go.
This has resulted in a growing debate over how to handle these animals, as well as widespread suspicion that people are abusing the law to get special privileges for their pets."

All laws are abused. It is human nature to find loopholes and exploit them--at least for a segment of society. Our brains are hard wired to justify our behavior as a survival mechanism--else we would go crazy.

But, if the animal does the job it is intended to do and actually assists the owner with day-to-day living issues, then I cannot see a problem.

We, as a society, insist that all individuals have worth and value, we frown upon euthanasia and abortion, and our reality is these people we help to live long lives have needs that an "average" person does not.

I see no value in demonizing their choices because a few people get upset to see a miniature horse in a store.

Why shouldn't they have a pony or a pig, not everyone wants a dog.