Service Dog in Mass?

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Seatuck said:
If Children are constantly coming over or even some dopey adults you may have to rethink using the dog at Mass.
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While well-intentioned, this advice is inappropriate. These people are causing the disruption by being ignorant and uninformed about service animals. The dog and its master are not the ones causing the disruption. What a great opprtunity for people to become properly informed about service animals and the rights of the disabled.

If people are disrupting because there is a service dog at Mass, they need to be taught about service animals. The dog shouldn’t be made unwelcome because of the ignorance of others.
 
MusicMan said:
While well-intentioned, this advice is inappropriate. These people are causing the disruption by being ignorant and uninformed about service animals. The dog and its master are not the ones causing the disruption. What a great opprtunity for people to become properly informed about service animals and the rights of the disabled.

If people are disrupting because there is a service dog at Mass, they need to be taught about service animals. The dog shouldn’t be made unwelcome because of the ignorance of others.
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DING! DING! DING! We have a winner! I was going to post something similar - perhaps a notice shoudl be placed in the parish bulletin, etc., regarding treatment of such.

Additionally, it might be a good chance to “build community” at the parish because then parishoners would get the chance to at least know the people involved and the story. Too often we see people at Mass and don’t even know who they are.
 
puzzleannie said:
I would guess the service dog will be much better behaved than many of the other people in the church.
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I agree, with you.

I can see one issue with having a pooch with you during mass, kids. Some kids will most definitely get distracted by a dog. Other than that all should be fine.
 
Just tell the kids and the dopey adults that service dogs are not pets, and that they are not to be touched or spoken to while they are working.

The sign idea works, too, although you will also have to remind those who don’t understand that the sign also applies to them.
 
As with everything else we debate here, it finally boils down to the lowest common denominator. Rather than question whether or not the dog should be there because of these people, I think we should hold these people accountable for their actions. If they distrupt the Mass because of the dog, then I think we should question whether or not they deserve to be there. (OK, that’s harsh, but it does raise an interesting point.)
 
cargopilot said:
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.
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From ancient times, ‘service’ dogs have been allowed into the church buildings, if accompanied by their keepers.
This in particular refers to shepherds, and a place was usually set aside for him, on the end of an aisle seat, close to the door.
This has been, at least, the custom in Anglican churches, and I believe it dates back to pre reformation times, when a shepherd could not attend mass without taking his dog.
 
I wish to correct the original post on one point: Churches are NOT required by the ADA to allow service animals. Churches are “private membership organizations” under the law and are therefore exempt.

I am personally aware of at least one instance where a congregation disallowed a disabled person to bring their service animal to church. As a result, many of us in the service dog community were shocked to find out that churches are exempt from the ADA.

I am a facilitator for a skilled companion team trained by Canine Companions for Independence. While we were still on the waiting list, my girlfriend contacted the church regarding bringing the dog. We were allowed to bring the dog, even though our pastor is apparently quite uncomfortable around them.

Our companion has been attending church with us religiously now since December 2005, and we get many comments about how beautiful and well-behaved he is. In fact many people are disappointed if we leave the dog at home. When we think about how many people have donated their time, money and prayers to CCI, we realize how much of a gift God has given us.

Israel Pattison
 
Israel_Jacob said:
I wish to correct the original post on one point: Churches are NOT required by the ADA to allow service animals. Churches are “private membership organizations” under the law and are therefore exempt.

I am personally aware of at least one instance where a congregation disallowed a disabled person to bring their service animal to church. As a result, many of us in the service dog community were shocked to find out that churches are exempt from the ADA.
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If I belonged to a parish and found out that they did not allow service dogs, though, I would find another parish.
 
MusicMan said:
While well-intentioned, this advice is inappropriate. These people are causing the disruption by being ignorant and uninformed about service animals. The dog and its master are not the ones causing the disruption. What a great opprtunity for people to become properly informed about service animals and the rights of the disabled.

If people are disrupting because there is a service dog at Mass, they need to be taught about service animals. The dog shouldn’t be made unwelcome because of the ignorance of others.
Click to expand...
Many moons ago, I worked at the same company with someone that had a service dog.

She used to let people come over and meet and greet the dog, after lunch time. We could get down and play with him, pet him or whatever. That way everyone knew him.

But he always wore his vest that told others that he was working. If you didn’t get your hellos in after lunch, you missed it until the next time she let him off leash. If he had his vest on, you didn’t bother him. :tsktsk:

Children can be taught to leave the dog alone. It may take a the priest saying something but you should never feel bad about taking the dog anywhere your child goes.
 
I am amazed that people would take issue with a service dog at Mass. A service dog is not a pet… this dog is a set of eyes for this person.

As a mother of a child with a disability, I think this wonderful child is going to be a wonderful inspiration to many…

I applaud this girl for wanting to stand up and take communion in the regular manner. Many times disabled people do not want to be made to look different… Even if they are different… God will shower her with His love…

Caeryl
 
Israel_Jacob said:
I wish to correct the original post on one point: Churches are NOT required by the ADA to allow service animals. Churches are “private membership organizations” under the law and are therefore exempt.
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While it may not be covered by the ADA, I had a friend who trained service dogs for a while and she showed up at my wedding with one of the dogs that she was training. The priest wanted to refuse the dog admittance, he was afraid the dog might do its business in the church. But my friend was able to pull out a book on the laws of all 50 states that explicitly stated that places of worship could not deny access to service dogs. 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.
 
What about at a HEALing Mass?

(OK, I’m ducking the tomatoes now…)
 
It would not bother me at all.
cargopilot said:
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.
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cargopilot said:
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.
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Something tells me you don’t have a lot of experience with dogs so far… but I digress…

We have a Cantor in our parish who is blind who has a service dog. That dog is a favorite within our parish community with both the pastoral staff as well as the greater community (although we’re not permitted to feed her scraps at any time!) She is called by name and welcomed by all! Our Pastor’s only complaint is that when the dog is ever nearby, she always upstages him!! She’s just TOO CUTE!!

When the Cantor participates in a mass as Cantor, the dog sits with her near her place at the altar. When she participates as a regular member of the choir, the dog accompanies her to and from the altar for Communion. (We have a large parish & many cantors.)

Anyone who would have a problem with the dog participating in ANYTHING needs the counseling of their Pastor, in my opinion. Your service dog will become the newest member of your family and in time you will come to care for that dog as a family member. And when you lose that dog, you will grieve almost as much as you might grieve for a child.

Your parish should welcome the service dog as they would welcome your daughter. The dog, through his/her faithful and loving service, will enable your daughter fuller participation in all of the activities of life than she might otherwise be able to achieve, and in some sense is the dog is in many ways an extension of your daughter. No one would reject your daughter, so, similarly, no one should reject the dog who serves her and makes her life better.

Would that we all could follow the example of service that the dog will give ~ it may very well be better than the record of many of us so-called “more intelligent” humans! Dogs are so loving and so faithful! They truly love unconditionally, while many of us really don’t do so well on that score! And they are ever faithful. We could do well to learn from their example!

Love, Melanie
Lucky to be owned by 2 dogs (I don’t own them, they own me!)
 
cargopilot said:
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.
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In South Africa. on the feast day of St Francis of Assisi, our pets accompany us, and are blessed by the priest celebrating Mass.
I am sure a service dog behaves itself better than my Jack Russel that reprimands those that arrive late for Mass! (Church Militant?)
 
Hi there everyone. I just want to put in my two cents worth. I have an Autistic son who is almost 8 years old. He is currently unable to attend Mass because of his short attention span, ADHD and behaviors. I am putting his name on the list for him to get a service dog and my fondest hope is that some day he will receive his service dog and that dog’s calming quiet presence will enable him to attend Mass with me.

So to the original person who asked the question…by all means, take your service dog to church. I have seen guide dog puppies in training at my church and they are always well-behaved. The purpose of a service dog is to assist your daughter in every public place that she goes. If it were me, I’d call Father to give him a “heads up” before taking my service dog to church. 👍
 
Well, after many beautiful posts before mine, I humbly add a simple and child-like thought.

All creatures are the work of God’s own hand. And we all know God’s work is good. God’s creatures were given to Man to be named, to be companions, to be assistants in working the land, to be trained in protection. And I believe Mr. Bluth was accurate in developing a film that declared that all dogs go to heaven. Not too sure about cats…that surly, aloof thing makes me feel like it is continually plotting a coup ending in my downfall…jury is still out on that concern.

Anyway, since I have mentioned all sorts of girly things…I’ll go one step further. God spelled in reverse is DOG!!! BooYah!

Not only does my favorite saint, St. Francis of Assisi, appear in varied forms with birds a-plenty, but many images of my #2 guy (St. Dominic, in a close race with 'Tony of Padua) include a dog at his feet.

Using my oft-times errant geometry skills, and attempting to parlay them into religious proofs…

God made dogs. God’s creations are given the Higher Power seal of approval. Dogs are approved. Weak…sorry.

Lastly, I see God in my dog’s eyes. And it is so true that many dogs behave better during the Mass than some humans. Except for my rowdy Jackabee doggie-daughter. Even tho’ we held the pet blessing outside, she never stopped barking and baying at poor Fr. Rigo. And Fr., if you read this…it did not go without notice that you doused my Reilly girl with more holy water from that aspergillum than you did with others. Thanks, and nice try. Methinks she may well be a non-believer.

To all parishes with service dogs…Blessings from me to your congregations. Especially for those in need of canine aid. Man’s best friend, indeed.

“Happiness is a warm puppy.” (Charles Schulz)
 
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