One of the benefits of a dog as an aid animal is that they tend to be very emotionally oriented and emotionally sensitive. Snakes, while beautiful, really aren't - at least, not that I've seen evidence of.
That said, they can become used to a specific person, I think. I had one of my snakes at a local college to show the bio class, at the professor's request. After watching several individuals handle it, the professor remarked that he did not think it was possible for a snake previously - but after watching the snake's body language and orientation, he could not question that it not only knew where I was at all times, but would consistently travel in my direction, even though I was moving around the room talking to people. I was never more than five feet from the snake. I can't really say that it wasn't just a fluke, but it is normal for an animal in an unfamiliar environment to seek out what it regards as familiar.
In regards to the remark about anyone taking their pet out in public just seeking attention - fortunately, not everyone shares that opinion, or no one would ever have the opportunity of learning how wrong their misconceptions are by having the chance to meet a pet snake in person.
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