Service Dog in Mass?

[mirandajb]

In school ( La Salle) a Professor in theology, a Catholic priest, told us that the direct translation of Gentile was “Dog” :extrahappy:

 

[twosweetgirls]

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.

I think that’s absolutely wonderful. What a testimony your daughter will give to others–despite her challenges, she’s doing everything she can to receive Jesus in the Eucharist. Sure puts those of us to shame who use other things to get in the way of going to Mass. Give your daughter a hug from me, and God bless her service pup with MANY long and healthy years.

 

[Jerome42]

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

I stand corrected.

 

[kage_ar]

I think that’s absolutely wonderful. What a testimony your daughter will give to others–despite her challenges, she’s doing everything she can to receive Jesus in the Eucharist. Sure puts those of us to shame who use other things to get in the way of going to Mass. Give your daughter a hug from me, and God bless her service pup with MANY long and healthy years.

I’d add to this, perhaps ask for the Parish to include as an intention that a service dog soon come to live with your daughter. Then, when said blessing arrives - a small mention of thanks for the prayers to your Parish family would be nice.

 

[AHapka]

Not to get into the whole EC/EMHC argument…

But it is possible that an Eucharistic Minister could take communion to the disabled at mass. In my parish, the Priest and Deacon walk communion to the pew where the disabled people sit (right in front). They receive directly from them (Body and Blood respectively), without getting up. Those who are able to kneel, do so.

The Priest and Deacon then return to their normal positions and the rest of the parish receives in the normal manner after they are done.

In any event, I can’t think of anyone who would have a problem with a service dog.

Andy

 

[thechrismyster]

to be said in the voice of a carnival MC…

“Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and girls of all ages, gather round at the site, the spectacle, the amazing feats of craziness as another benign Catholic Answers thread miraculously goes from seeing eye dogs and service dogs to liturgical abuse (with a quote from a Pope) in one swift and effecient swoop.”

is nothing impossible?

 

[nobody]

What would you think if you saw a service dog accompanying a disabled person to mass?

So cool! I’d be encouraged by the child, the family and the dog. My prayers are with you that your child gets the dog soon.

 

[JW10631]

I recall a lady who attends daily Mass in an Arlington, Virginia parish with her service dog.

 

[lak611]

I recall a lady who attends daily Mass in an Arlington, Virginia parish with her service dog.

Service dogs are awesome! They, and their owners are welcome at my parish! :extrahappy:

 

[BlestOne]

Can I trade my kids in for service dogs? Just kidding… I think it would be fine, but I would encourage you to talk to priest first. I know in my parish we do things a little different than other parishes i have belonged to, including disabled people sitting in reserved pews up front. It was a lifesaver when both ds and I were on crutches.

 

[cargopilot]

Father said it was fine for the dog to attend mass, just as long as he didn’t bark at his homilies.

 

[MusicMan]

For those of you who don’t know this, I’m an active member of the Lions Club, and Helen Keller charged us with the task of being the “Knights for the Blind.” Being a Knight for the Blind and what that entailed was one of the reasons why I joined the organization. Service dog training, support, and development is one of those things that we’re heavily involved in. I can tell you right here and right now that any properly trained service dog will behave him/herself appropriately at Holy Mass. They are there to serve their Masters. When their Masters do not require their service, they STAY OUT OF THE WAY.

Even assisting their Master to receive the Holy Eucharist is not an obstacle or problem for properly trained service dogs. They do not require a “human back-up” as one poster suggested. It may be necessary for another person to walk the Master and dog through the Communion Line once so that the dog knows what to do, but that will be all that is necessary.

However, even behavior in church is part of the training for a service dog, and Lions and other service dog trainers probably take the dog they are training through the Communion Line at the church so that the dog knows what to do there. The training is very thorough and very well done. The dog should come to its Master fully capable of doing its job at Mass. There is no risk of a service dog disrupting Communion or profaning the Sacrament. Please trust me on this. No one should have an issue with a service dog on duty doing its job at Mass.

 

[CarrieH]

I would guess the service dog will be much better behaved than many of the other people in the church.

And in many cases, better dressed! Fur is never in poor taste when worn by its original owner.

I can’t believe this is even up for debate. What on earth could be inappropriate about having an assistive device present to help someone who might otherwise not be able to attend Mass? So what if said device is a dog rather than a walker or a wheelchair (or maybe in addition to a wheelchair!).

If someone has allergies, they can sit elsewhere. If the dog is a distraction to the children present, they can sit elsewhere, too. And the dog’s presence might provide a good opportunity to educate the kids about disabilities, the role of the service dog, and compassion for those less fortunate.

 

[Miserissima]

I can’t believe this is even up for debate.

I didn’t think there was a debate, just people chiming in with *potential *issues.

Service dogs go through intense training to ‘perform’ as well as they do.

This morning on the way to work I thought of this thread because I saw a service dog on the Metro that was wearing a sign on his halter. It said something to the effect of, “Please do not bother me while I am working.” That made me think, ‘I hope the kids in the parish are able to mind their manners, and at least we can be confident in the dog’s behavior!’

 

[nobody]

Father said it was fine for the dog to attend mass, just as long as he didn’t bark at his homilies.

Good to hear, cargo. Please let us know when your daughter recieves her dog, so we can join in the celebration.

 

[lak611]

Good to hear, cargo. Please let us know when your daughter recieves her dog, so we can join in the celebration.

When your daughter gets her dog, please post a picture of him and his name. I will pray to St. Francis for him.

 

[Norseman82]

Objecting to a service dog is like objecting to someone using a cane or a walker.

The only thing to be careful of is that kids being kids, they are going to want to pet the dog, and too much attention might get the dog excited and interfere with him/her doing the job (I’ve seen it happen), so be careful about having a gaggle of people “oohing and ahhing” over it.

 

[MusicMan]

Many service dogs have a notice on their harness or on a bandana that instructs people not to pet it when it is working. The Master usually determines when people can “play” with the animal and will tell people and the dog that its OK to pet it. There’s nothing wrong with the Master doing this, but it is their call, and the dog will follow instructions accordingly.

Please also pray a prayer of thanksgiving for those who took the time to properly train the dog. They often go unnoticed (as they expect to) during this process, but the job they do is so critical.

 

[Jennifer_G]

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.

Fine with me - I know of a person at our church who uses a service dog.

I would guess the service dog will be much better behaved than many of the other people in the church.

Now, this service dog (I think it’s part lab, part golden retriever) tries to be reverant, or follow along. During the Sharing of Peace, the dog will lean up on the pew to greet everyone. If the dog is bringing its’ owner to the communion rail, it’ll “lean”/“kneel” on the cushion in front of the rail. (front paws on the pew/cushion)

Father said it was fine for the dog to attend mass, just as long as he didn’t bark at his homilies.

(Now, would some protestant dogs bark?)

 

[Seatuck]

I think it would be fine to have a service dog in Mass.

The only areas of concern are as people have mentioned- folks with allergies. The other would be will it cause a distraction in Mass? If Children are constantly coming over or even some dopey adults you may have to rethink using the dog at Mass.