I have a half-blind, arthritic 19-year-old tank of a cat with a face like a bag of spanners who yowls and honks whenever he wants anything and interrupts all my meetings and tramples on my keyboard. Wouldn't replace him for the world.
The biggest problem with it is that it's kind of a safety issue. If someone has health problems that might mean passing out or injuring themselves, like a seizure disorder or allergies, then a physical barricade like that might not be the best idea. It could also be a problem in a fire for the same reason. On the other hand, it could protect someone in the event of a break in... Basically, it's a matter of considering your individual situation and needs, then weighing the pros and cons.