An Ohio family that uses a Miniature Horse as a therapy animal is appealing a court's decision to dismiss their case to keep the animal at their home.

In February, Housing Opportunities Made Equal (HOME), along with Ingrid Anderson, filed a federal lawsuit against the city of Blue Ash, Ohio, on grounds that the city violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by classifying as livestock the Miniature Horse belonging to Anderson's daughter. Under ADA rules, a trained service horse can be used as an alternative to service dogs in situations where the use of equines would be appropriate. In February, a HOME representative said the case involves a 13-year-old girl with multiple illnesses who uses the animal to get exercise and spend time outdoors.

In response to the original lawsuit, Emily Schaffer, public relations coordinator for Blue Ash, said Anderson previously failed to dispute the findings of the city council and a Hamilton County Municipal Court denying the Miniature Horse service animal status. Additionally, she said the city had received complaints that the horse posed a threat to neighbors' health and safety.

Brandon Craig, HOME compliance manager, said that while the case was pending, the horse stayed at a barn about 40 minutes from the disabled girl's home