Service Dog in Mass?

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Back when I was a contemplative nun, we had a guest who would come to chapel regularly with her service dog. Many people joined us for mass and the Divine Office, but everyone understood that this dog made it possible for her to join the public prayer of the Church. People with dog issues handled their needs the same as she did. They adjusted their behavior and did what was necessary for their situation.

Gertie
 
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 am 100% okay with this. Under the following conditions:
  1. Keep dog on tight leash. Especially during communion, and especially while the dog is being trained, have a back up human right at hand during the receiving of communion.
    2.) Keep dog well groomed…to prevent allergy symptoms/asthma attacks. If you notice someones having trouble, move far away. They will thank your for it.
Other than that, if it is necessary, which it seems to be, I see no problem with it. You might want to go to a more family friendly parish, as they would be more open to a “special guest” in attendance. 😉
 
memphisbob said:
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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Oh, yes, this has occurred during mass at our church as well. The man picked up his cell and said in a very loud whisper, “I’m in church,” then proceeded to have a conversation. :rolleyes:

I think a Service Dog would be fine. The ones I’ve seen are always well-behaved and as others have said, more well-behaved than some people. Just give the pastor a heads up.
 
Seminarian_Matt said:
Using “Eucharistic Minister” as opposed to “Extra ordinary Minster of Holy Communion” is a liturgical abuse that must be politely corrected every single time.
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So “liturgical abuse” can now be committed in one’s den, in front of the computer? I would have thought that liturgical abuse could only be committed in, well, the performance of the liturgy. Surely there’s a moral distinction between use of an incorrect term and abuse of the Mass, no?

And I do agree with Paix: I don’t think the terminology police on this board need to pounce - Every. Single. Time. - on people with honest, sincere questions, when they have gotten the “EM” terminology wrong - especially when said pounce substitutes for an answer to the sincere question that was asked originally.
 
PaixGioiaAmor said:
Everyone knows this. No need to point this out EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. someone uses the term.

Keep in mind that those terms are so commonly used in almost every parish in the United States that people aren’t even thinking about it when they say it.
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I agree.
 
LJN21 said:
I have seen Service Dogs at Mass before. I think its really cool actully 🙂
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A blind lady at my mother’s parish brings her dog all the time.
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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They are well-trained and well-behaved.

If you do get a service dog, you would be welcome to bring him to my parish.🙂
 
Make sure that the dog has been baptized Catholic. It might cause a disturbance if you find out your dog is Jewish… Besides, he may want to take communion, and you know that the church does not give communion to anyone who is not Catholic.
 
kellicouch77 said:
Make sure that the dog has been baptized Catholic. It might cause a disturbance if you find out your dog is Jewish… Besides, he may want to take communion, and you know that the church does not give communion to anyone who is not Catholic.
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:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:
 
kellicouch77 said:
Make sure that the dog has been baptized Catholic. It might cause a disturbance if you find out your dog is Jewish… Besides, he may want to take communion, and you know that the church does not give communion to anyone who is not Catholic.
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Oh my, we would never allow the service dog to receive communion without properly Catechizing him first. In our case, I’m pretty sure he’s being raised Catholic, but if not we’ll just take him too RCIA. I’m pretty sure if he can get through the public access test, RCIA should be easy.
 
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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A service dog is an entirely different kettle of fish from someone bringing their personal pet to mass. Absolutely appropriate. I am always in awe when I see these animals “working”.
 
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 no problem with it. i think service dogs are necessary. how would disabled people who need them be able to do alot of things they’d like to do without them? i can’t see a problem with the dog being at Mass.
 
Cargopilot, I want to thank you for posting your original question. It got me thinking about the need for these highly trained animals and the short supply. When I was in elementary school one of my classmates and her sisters raised service puppies. It would break their hearts to send them back after a year or more of working with the puppies, but what an incredible gift this family was giving - both in increasing the supply of service dogs, and in teaching their children how to be of service.

So we’re now in a conversation in my house about whether we could take this on. What would it take? What changes could we make around the house? How old would my son need to be before we start? Would I be allowed to bring this puppy to work? And so on and so on.

Perhaps others on here will be inspired to take on this service. There is a huge need.

God bless you and your family.
Gertie
 
I think people can tell when it is a pet and when it is a service dog. If they don’t like it they will have to find a way to deal with it. IMHO it is no different then going up with a walker or wheelchair!
 
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 it Many times and I think it is wonderful, our church clearly states on the doors that “service dogs are welcome!”
 
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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From what I’ve seen, yes.

There is a blind woman at our parish who, as far as I can tell, lives alone. She walks to Mass every Sunday with no companion other than her service dog. The dog leads her to her usual pew, then lays down quietly on the floor for the duration of Mass. Afterward, the dog comes back, and off they go. I cannot imagine anyone having a problem with such an animal. He (or she) is truly a gift from God to this woman.
 
ThuribleGuy45 said:
So “liturgical abuse” can now be committed in one’s den, in front of the computer? I would have thought that liturgical abuse could only be committed in, well, the performance of the liturgy. Surely there’s a moral distinction between use of an incorrect term and abuse of the Mass, no?

And I do agree with Paix: I don’t think the terminology police on this board need to pounce - Every. Single. Time. - on people with honest, sincere questions, when they have gotten the “EM” terminology wrong - especially when said pounce substitutes for an answer to the sincere question that was asked originally.
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And I disagree. It should be pointed out EVERY SINGLE TIME because it is wrong. While of course not a technical liturgical abuse, the use of EM as opposed to EMHC is on the Catholic Answers Page on Liturgical abuses (catholic.com/library/liturgical_abuses.asp)
 
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