Service dog at the wedding/reception

I can't imagine telling any of my friends or family that they can't come to my wedding because they have a service dog. I can't imagine even thinking twice about it. I work in healthcare and see service dogs every day, several times a day. If we're being honest, they behave better than most intoxicated adults. The dog will have 0% impact on your wedding day except maybe a few "aww cute dog" comments. You said yourself that he's well behaved and doesn't bark, so what are you so concerned about? I think you need to reevaluate your priorities.

Ummm I think you are totally wrong. It is a service dog! You pretty much would be telling your cousin to eat outside... Maybe do some research on service dogs?

Gosh this is horrible. I can't imagine telling someone they couldn't come to your wedding because you won't let them have their necessary aide with them. You need to educate yourself.

I understand where you are coming from. I definitely do not think that you should exclude her because of her service dog, but I totally understand your feelings on having a dog at your reception. Maybe you guys can compromise and have the dog in another room during the dinner portion of the reception. I know I wouldn't want to eat with a dog at my table during a wedding, personally. But if she has a service dog it's likely necessary that the dog be at least close by.

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This exactly. I have witnessed lots of service dogs in action, and in my experience, they are more well behaved than most humans. I imagine the dog will sit quietly at her side for the entire event, and you'll hardly even notice his presence. He's there for your cousin's support. I don't think you have anything at all to worry about. It's not like someone just asking to bring a pet, which may or may not be well behaved around others and/or in public.

This is a trained aide who just happens to be a dog. Let her bring him.

Service dogs are not just pets. They are needed for a lot of people. I could not imagine telling someone they couldn't bring their service dog and in most cases that would mean they would not be able to attend. Service dogs are very well behaved and the dog is going to be there to "work" not play. I'm not sure if you know anything about service dogs but I would do a little research and you may find out things you did not know and become more excepting of it.

I understand that you might not want a dog at your wedding, but this is a service dog. Service dogs are trained and well behaved. I highly doubt that the dog would cause any issue. I'm sure your guests would understand the situation as well. I don't think telling her that the dog needs to eat outside is a good idea either. She has a service dog for a reason, and that dog needs to be around her 100% of the time. The dog is working and keeping your cousin safe.

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The service dog should not be forced to leave her side in any way. Depending on what the service dog is for it could be life threatening if the dog is not near her at all times (ie. seizures, diabetes, heart issues). Service dogs are allowed in grocery stores and restaurants, no one has a problem eating near a service dog. Please educate yourself.

Service dogs are not pets and are trained to behave during events. By telling your cousin, or by implying, that you don't want the dog there you're at risk to breaking ACA laws. I would suggest forgoing your vision to make sure one of your guests is comfortable.

If the dog is, in fact, a service dog, your concerns are moot. Service dogs are highly trained not to cause a disturbance. Restaurants, hotels, even airlines allow service dogs. No reason not to allow the dog.

If she was trying to bring her pet dog to your wedding I would understand telling her no. But since it’s a service dog, you’re probably going to have to have the dog there if you want her there. If it doesn’t matter to you if she’s there or not then tell her whatever you want but I do think it’s a little ridiculous to tell her she can’t bring her service dog.

I would never tell a friend or family they can't being a trained service animal. There is a reason why the animals are necessary. It's like the equivalent to telling a blind person they can't bring their cane because you don't like how it looks.

I assume she can feed her dog before or after the wedding, that doesn't seem like it would be an issue. The rest sounds typical of a service dog and I don't think there is anyway around the dog not coming.

Please educate yourself about service dogs. They are not pets and are given rights to go with their person wherever their person would go due to being a necessity for that person's ability to survive. This was a difficult post to read and I'm still speechless.

It is against to law to not allow a service dog in a public place.

Telling someone that they can't bring their service dog is like telling someone that they can't bring their wheelchair, hearing aid, or eye glasses. This dog is not just a pet--it is a medically necessary life aid.

What are you stressed about? The dog will hardly be noticeable. It is trained to sit under tables while your cousin eats in public places - like restaurants. It will stay by her side and WORK, not run away and play. Of course he is well-behaved and quiet - he's a WORKING dog.

It is extremely disturbing that you would even *think* to try to tell her she cannot bring her dog or try to tell her that her dog has to be outside.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Service_dog

Discrimination against service dogs is against the law. Please educate yourself on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

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I'm getting some very unkind remarks about my question. I love my cousin. I would never tell her she can't come. She said herself she might not need the dog - but wanted me to be aware. He's anything but hardly noticeable. He's 110 lbs and jumps on people (he's friendly). But not everyone wants to be jumped on. He also begs for scraps, and I don't want him doing that at my reception. If the dog is an issue, I feel that's the issue and not my cousin, and if she felt she couldn't come without the dog, I'd 100% respect that. Please give me some credit there's a little bit of unpredictability with a dog. I'm sorry you're disturbed, I think that's a bit of an overreaction.

If you ban her service dog from attending the wedding you are separating her from a necessary medical aid. If you separate her from the dog during the ceremony or dinner you are separating her from a necessary medical aid. You are essentially uninviting a guest BECAUSE of their disability and that is abhorrent and I’m not sure your relationship will survive it, family or not.