Service Dog in Mass?

[Israel_Jacob]

According to my friend different states do have different definitions of what service animals (all states recognize seeing eye dogs, but other animals and other service dogs aren’t recognized in all states.) She also indicated that there were a few states where places of worship were allowed to deny them—but she was able to list them on one hand.

Any state law that requires a place of worship to admit a service animal is likely unconstitutional, and here’s why: Legislatures may not make laws that prevent the free practice of religion.

Contact with animals is an unclean act in some faith traditions. Faithful who have been in contact with certain animals are ritually unclean and are, therefore, forbidden from practicing some rites of that tradition.

I am fairly certain this is true of some Muslim sects, where a service animal might be allowed in anterooms or meeting spaces, but would be absolutely forbidden in the place of prayer.

If a state legislature were to require that a service animal be admitted, it would place a restriction on that faith’s free practice of religion.

I don’t doubt that some state legislatures have come up with such laws, but don’t expect them to survive a constitutional challenge.

Israel

 

[cathyf]

I wish to correct the original post on one point: Churches are NOT required by the ADA to allow service animals

True, but I’m sure that the bishop can handle any pastors who might have a problem with it. (Where’s that getting-smacked-upside-the-head smiley? )

 

[estesbob]

What would you think if you saw a service dog accompanying a disabled person to mass? Would you be OK with it? Would you feel it would be inappropriate?

My pre-teen child is disabled and we’re finally on the waiting list for one of these fantastic dogs. The dog can pull her wheelchair, provide bracing when she walks, retrieve dropped objects and many, many other things. ADA allows access to any public place to disabled persons with a certified service dog, but mass is one place that we don’t want to push the law. I was wanting to get (name removed by moderator)ut from everyone here, just to test the waters.

We have them at our Mass all the time. It is against the law NOT to allow a service Dog into the Church.

 

[MelanieAnne]

I wish to correct the original post on one point: Churches are NOT required by the ADA to allow service animals

That’s right. Churches follow a higher law that does allow service animals tho!

 

[Altesse]

What would you think if you saw a service dog accompanying a disabled person to mass? Would you be OK with it? Would you feel it would be inappropriate?

My pre-teen child is disabled and we’re finally on the waiting list for one of these fantastic dogs. The dog can pull her wheelchair, provide bracing when she walks, retrieve dropped objects and many, many other things. ADA allows access to any public place to disabled persons with a certified service dog, but mass is one place that we don’t want to push the law. I was wanting to get (name removed by moderator)ut from everyone here, just to test the waters.

The lady who plays the piano during Mass at my church has a seeing eye dog. The dog lays on the floor under the bench until Mass is over. That marble floor is real nice during the summer months.

When she is not playing, they sit in the 2nd pew on the left (from the front). Dog lays on the floor with her head and front paws (at least) in the center aisle. But she seems to know to wait until after the processional before doing that; (or we just step over her ).

The parking lot attenders have a german shepherd that comes to Mass sometimes too. She sits in the back, no one even notices.

Father has 3 dogs, they are official rectory greeters. Two cats previously owned by an old nun still live there too. But Father’s dogs and the cats don’t come to Mass.

The only thing to do is make sure you sit in the same place every week so people with allergies can sit away from the dog. There are dog shampoos that cut down on allergy symptoms, frequent bathing helps too. Service dogs are usually very, very clean . I am guessing you will be the official dogwasher, LOL!

Otherwise, I would think that Mass is the last place on earth people would object to a service dog.