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I see great value in service dogs. I hope you can bring the companion to church. However, and from my perspective, there are just two things I see as worth considering: First, asking the ward leadership in advance for their consent. It saves any surprised looks or questions when and if you do come to church with the animal; and it allows you to hear any objections and respond accordingly. It also allows the leadership to understand the purpose and help the members understand this isn’t just a pet….and that they shouldn’t simply bring their favorite animal to church on Sunday because they see you doing it.
Second, being open to the possibility that bringing the dog to church would be less helpful to others than it is to you. In other words, if someone has extreme allergies or fears of (yes, even small) dogs…that you’re prepared to offer the kind of consideration you want from others. (But also being open to the fact that every ward and ward leadership is different–often imperfect–and it may be a “no” for some reason, even no good reason.)
If it’s me in the bishopric, I say no problem. Best wishes!
A guy in my ward brings a service dog for PTSD issues. It’s cool. I wouldn’t say you need to
aska leader about bringing your dog, I say it’s a good idea to notifyhim. It would be good to avoid surprise and unnecessary questions, as others have said. His job for me is simple. If, due to some kind of sugar mismanagement, I become impaired then I cue him and he barks his little brains out to alert others I’m in trouble. The conversation with students goes like this: “What does he do?”
“He barks to alert others if I need him to.”
“But…”
“Have you ever heard him bark?”
“No…”
“And if you were walking by and heard him barking in my room what would you do?”
“I’d stop to see what was wron….”
“Bingo.”
True story: we were walking through the office and there was a young lady sitting on a couch crying. Her mother was standing there looking stern and unhappy. The HG said, “Dog time”. I walked over and the girl actually said, “Oh, I’ve seen him before.” I asked her his name, which she knew, asked if she cared to pet him. She did. Mom did too. Situation defused–not fixed–but defused.
Our school requests we stand in the hallways during passing and I stand there and kids approach me. They brighten, they go from gray to color, a hard face softens and the world lightens. Likewise if I see a kid who looks broken I can simply say, “It can’t be that bad!” They look at me, I invite them to talk to the dog and things get better.
A pet, a pat, a scratch on the ears and things simply get better.
Of course if the bishop says no I won’t push it, but for all the balm of Gilead he shares with others I’m just selfish enough to want some for myself.
I’m not sure that a service dog can be legally rejected. Is the church subject to the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act)?
If so then I understand that the church can legally ask two questions.
1) Is this a service animal?
2) What type of service does the animal provide?
Admittedly as an operator of a “place of public accommodation,” I think the restrictions offer plenty of opportunities for abuse. So in addition to just saying that I think you have the legal right to bring your animal I will give some advice.
If I were you, I would ….
Notify the bishop ahead of time.
Bring the dog in his service vest. You are not required to do so but it would shortcut much explaining.
If asked, just keep explanations limited to how your service animal serves you. Explanations on how the dog helps people feel the spirit etc. can get very murky very fast.
Be respectful and accommodating of people that have dog aversions or allergies (i.e. don’t go try to sit next to them).
Remember that the goal is to exercise your right without leaving the ward fractured and bitter.
VikingCompass wrote:In retrospect I’m very surprised at how the simple wording offended me–and it wasn’t offensive to start with. I think events earlier in the day had set me one click away from Anger/Dispair. I had been on my way to a optional meeting related to other endeavors and the Spirit said “Go to Wally World and get your wife a space heater and some flowers”. So I did.
Since she works in the library it made sense.
I got the and found two things: first on of the exterior doors of the building had fallen off and the place was frigid and my wife had a run in with an ultra-orthodox woman who had wound up hollering at my wife.
Score one HG.
I was feather triggered and at a place where I was truly thinking “screw it, I’m out.” Unfairly I unloaded on the wrong person.
Good of you to acknowledge that VikingCompass. In keeping with the spirit of this forum, if you post your thoughts and questions, and others respond…we don’t think it is productive to start calling others TBM and unsympathetic.If you ever feel attacked or if you think others are rude to you here, feel free to contact a moderator privately and we can try to handle the situation while keeping it safe for people to post.
We’re glad you’re here and contributing.
I doubt very much that you will be told you can’t bring him. I agree with Roy about putting him in the service vest. When I see a dog in a service vert, I don’t get concerned about it being in a building, bus, or whatever. If it’s a working dog, just inform the leadership, and if anyone asks, tell them. I can’t see a valid objection to it. My main concern would be small children. I don’t know what the deal with muzzles is here though.
Put him in his uniform as Shawn suggests.
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