Service dog at the wedding/reception

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Got it. I read another person's post, and I think I used the wrong term here. It's not a service dog (like a seeing eye dog or a seizure dog) it's an emotional support dog. I may just clarify with my cousin whether he's trained like an actual service dog (like ADA service dog like he's literally working when he has his vest on) because I've never gotten the impression he has been. I do know he's basically trained like any dog (house trained, sit, stay, etc.) But, I've only been around him in her house, not out like at a grocery store. So her words of reassurance to me were falling on deaf ears because I was like - no really, he jumps on me all the time, he barks at people coming to the door, etc. I think I just need to talk to her again. I didn't mean to upset you.

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This is right.

Emotional support animals aren't the same as trained service animals. If it is a trained service dog it should be allowed without question, but if it is an emotional support animal then you're within your rights to request that the dog not attend.

I think if she brings food for him, say in her purse and feeds him under the table no one should care bes there to help her a d if he is really well behaved should be no problem as long as she cleans up after him I see no problem. Unless your venue specifically says something about no animals being allowed.

You said he jumps and begs. Is he an emotional support animal, rather than a service dog? Service dogs are highly trained and well behaved, and your cousin deserves to have her SERVICE dog with her.

I just am commenting to say I'm sure you are stressed and misunderstood. I don't think you were trying to be intentionally hurtful. It is easy for strangers to make assumptions and say things through a screen. While I never think ignorance is cause to discriminate, I see how you were confused. I say this as a special education teacher and advocate. I hope you have a beautiful and stress free wedding!

View Quoted Comment If this dog is jumping on people and begging for scraps, I would question where the dog got it’s service dog certifications because service animals do not behave that way! If it is a legit service dog, I would definitely allow it. However, I would let her know kindly that she needs to keep him from jumping and begging. My friends has a diabetic alert service dog who goes everywhere with her. He never jump, never begs, never barks, and if you didn’t physically see him, you’d never even know he was there, and that is how service animals should act. Everyone is correct though, you legally cannot tell her that her service dog can’t come or tell her to keep him in a separate room. That would defeat the purpose of the dogs job

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There is no such thing as a service dog certification, actually.

View Quoted Comment All service dogs have certifications that identify them as service dogs. Otherwise anyone can claim their animal is a service dog.

Service dogs are not emotional support animals which are very different. A service do is trained to do something to help its owner, it's like having an alarm and help when the person needs it the most. I highly doubt if something was wrong with your cousin that you'd stop what you're doing to help so trying to separate her from her service dog is like separating a sick person from their medicine. I am sorry but this is discrimination to its finest.

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No, actually they don't. There is no official registry or certification system. All an an animal needs in order to be a service animal is to be either a dog or miniature horse and to be trained to perform a task or tasks that assists a disabled person. The fact of their being trained to perform the task makes them a service animal. People can self-train their own service animals to perform the tasks that they need the animal to do. The ADA was deliberately set up that way so that the costs of getting a professionally-trained service animal or passing a certification system wouldn't be a barrier to disabled people.

View Quoted Comment I looked it up. I see what you’re talking about. Regardless if the animal is certified or not, the ADA website does state that if the animal is acting out (acting agressive, jumping on people, causing a disruption, etc.) that the animal can be asked to leave the premises. So I would assume that if this service animal is jumping on people and begging for food, she then has every right to ask her to remove the dog from the situation. I have, however, never seen a service dog act in that way. Like I said, I have a friend who takes her everywhere and he’s not even noticeable. Our local store has an employee with a service dog who lays at her feet while she’s at the register ringing people up. Maybe this person just needs to put in more training hours with their 110 pound service dog.

Dang even reading your main post and responses to others I can tell that this is an EMOTIONAL SUPPORT DOG! A trained service dog has a vest, where when it’s on they are 100% on the job. They don’t get distracted, they’re beyond well trained, and have a very serious duty. They’re also ridiculously expensive because they are THAT well trained and responsible for a humans life. An emotional support dog is usually not as well trained, and it mostly just there in cases of mental or emotional need. If she is even giving the option of the dog not having to be there she gets it. I understand not wanting a semi-trained dog at your wedding reception!!!! If the dog jumps on people and barks randomly, it isn’t a trained service dog.

You can can always pose it like, I love you and would love to have you there. Honestly I would prefer that you come without your emotional support dog, but if you’re unable to come without them then the choice is easy to have both of you there.

I would love a service dog being in attendance at my wedding! A service dog is very well behaved. I'd much rather have the dog there than a child that could be unruly. I'd let your cousin and the dog both attend together!

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Just read this comment! It doesn't really seem like the dog underwent all the strenuous training that a seeing-eye dog would, for example. At home, service/emotional support dogs are basically off duty. It would be worth seeing how he behaves out in public first before bringing up the subject of the dog to your cousin!