Service Dog in Mass?

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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.
 
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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I have seen Service Dogs at Mass before. I think its really cool actully 🙂
 
I have no problem with that.

My co-worker has a service dog too, and she takes with her to our meetings and works.

A member of our Legion of Mary is also a disabled person, and his dog is also with him when he comes to pray with the group.

The dogs just lie on the floor quietly at all time. They are wonderful gifted dogs.
 
I would guess the service dog will be much better behaved than many of the other people in the church.
 
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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There is a simple solution to this. Merely ask the Priest or one of of the Eucharistic Ministers to come to your child. No need to attempt to walk up to the Communion Rail. If for some reason this is not workable, I think a seeing-eye dog or a service-dog is appropriate.
 
At my parish, there is currently a couple who is training a service dog, and the dog comes to Mass with them each week. There has never been a problem at all with the dog. The dog wears a little banner-type of cloth across its back which identifies it as a service dog in training, and it’s mouth is closed with a little strap-type thing. I think it’s wonderful!
 
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?
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On the contrary, I’d be fine with it. Service dogs are well-behaved and quiet. Just give the pastor a heads-up that the dog is coming, so that he can deflect any uneducated criticism that might occur, without him being caught off-guard.
 
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 guarantee that, personally. When at work, they’re as quiet as a church mouse. You can’t believe the training involved. These dogs are amazing…very, very short in supply, long waits, but soooo worth it.

If you were me, would you ask Father first, or just start bringing the dog?
 
Jerome42 said:
There is a simple solution to this. Merely ask the Priest or one of of the Eucharistic Ministers to come to your child. No need to attempt to walk up to the Communion Rail. If for some reason this is not workable, I think a seeing-eye dog or a service-dog is appropriate.
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She doesn’t want this. She wants to receive the blessed sacrament just like everyone else. The dog will brace her and walk at exactly the speed she wants.
 
Jerome42 said:
There is a simple solution to this. Merely ask the Priest or one of of the Eucharistic Ministers to come to your child. No need to attempt to walk up to the Communion Rail. If for some reason this is not workable, I think a seeing-eye dog or a service-dog is appropriate.
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Correction:

It is incorrect in to say “Eucharistic Minister(s)” in the context you used. By definition, the only Minister of the Eucharist is clergy: bishops, priests, and deacons. Laypeople who assist by distributing Communion are to be called “Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion”. The term " Extraordinary minister of Holy Communion" is always to be used as opposed to “Eucharistic Ministers” as stated in the Vatican document Redemptionis Sacramentum in paragraphs 154-156
 
cargopilot said:
If you were me, would you ask Father first, or just start bringing the dog?
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Give him a “heads-up” that the dog is coming, but in an “I’m letting you know” way, rather than asking permission. 😉
 
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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That’s very true, annie. I have yet to see a service dog chew gum during Mass. They are really cool, and very valuable to their owner.
 
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.
Click to expand...
I see no problem with a service dog being at mass. They are so well trained most people will not even notice that s/he is there. For the people that notice him/her they will see the identifying vest and most likely will either make no comment or want to know more about what s/he can do.

We have puppy sat Canine Companions For Independence over weekends and have taken them with us to mass. The dog lays under the pew from the time we arrive until communion. Then s/he walks up with us to communion and sits while we receive. Once back s/he lays under the pew until the end of mass.
 
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.
Click to expand...
I think it would be wonderful!

Kathy
 
KatieD said:
…The dog wears a little banner-type of cloth across its back which identifies it as a service dog in training, and it’s mouth is closed with a little strap-type thing…
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The strap-type thing is a Gentle Leader (premier.com/pages.cfm?id=29). It does not restrict the mouth in any way. When correction is needed it imitates the gentle but firm grasp a pack leader gives a subordinates muzzle. Unlike a choke chain, it does not cause any pain.

Service dogs and service dogs in training are never muzzled. They are trained to never mouth, bite or eat off the ground and there mouth must be available to pick up things, open doors, etc for their owner.
 
We have a man who always brings his seeing eye dog with him. It is wonderful.
 
We have a blind lady and she has her companion with her. Takes her up to Father to receive the Eucharist. Always sits and waits for her blessing too. Beautiful Black Lab.
Wonderful
Blessings to you
Prague
 
As deacon candidates, we are being trained how to handle an unusual happenstance during a liturgy. Our director referred to this as a “there’s a dog in the church” situation. This refers to a loose dog that just happens to wander into the church looking for a handout or someone to pet him, etc. It does **not **refer to a well-behaved service dog. Such an animal would be quite welcome. At least he wouldn’t carry on a cell phone conversation during the consecration! (Yes, this has happened during a Mass I’ve served at.)

:eek:
 
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