Service Dog Denied Entry

It's not legal. At all! Unfortunately Elphaba is right... churches are exempt from basically everything. Which is why I don't attend church and why I'm not getting married into one. She and you have every right to be angry, but that's as far as it can get. It's common decency at that point!

ETA: Clarification

It's actually not legal. They are in violation of the Americans with disabilities act or Ada. I go everywhere with my service dog.

@Jaxz - The ADA does not apply to religious organizations and entities controlled by religious organizations. Thus, under the act, churches do not have to be handicapped accessible.

What kind of a church was this??? Seems like since it was her son getting married, the church has known for awhile and could have made an exception.

Of course, if I were the one getting married and I knew I had a special situation that the venue would not accommodate, I'd be picking another venue.

I didn't realize that churches are exempt from ada. I'd never heard that, I've also never encountered a place that tried to bar access to me with my service dog. If anything I've found people are incredibly helpful, and quite curious because of her breed, our apartment waived the pet deposit and we usually get a nice quiet corner table at restaurants.

Spring 2017 I would be to. Our venue has been very vocal about how welcome my dog is and has bent over backwards to see that she is just as well accommodated as the rest of us. I can't imagine booking a venue with that sort of attitude.

Why was this not confirmed with the church before hand? I mean it's outrageous that they denied it, but why didn't they ask this?

How so very Christ-like of them...

@Elphaba that's horrible and infuriating. It baffles me that with everything we know about the benefits of service animals for those with not just physical disabilities but with mental issues as well that people can be so stupid and closed minded. I've been asked if she was a service dog I think partly because she's a pit, but mostly because I don't appear to need one.... Until I have a panic attack and faint from hyperventilating, which is tramatic for me and anyone near by. But I have been fortunate that I haven't run into that type of attitude, and having her has gotten me completely of medicine except on the very rare occasion we travel outside of the US.

Omg that's so sad! I would've moved my wedding outside, then and there lol. What a jerky thing to do!

We're looking to get one for me, but the amount of push back I've seen others experience is ridiculous.

There's a lady that picks up her little brother from my son's elementary school, she has a service dog, it's a pitbull. The school administration told her she's not allowed to bring the dog to pick him up... I was in shock.

I can't believe how the church behaved! That's so awful!!!

That is horrendous. I know churches are exempt, but I don't know if any that won't allow service dogs. So sad for your friend, his mom, and family.

Not only am I upset with this church for treating her and her service dog this way, but if that was my mother I would do anything and everything to make sure she's there. FH and I used to attend this church, and it operates like a cult. Those who attend do not make their own decisions, they shun people who leave, and they treat non-members terribly. It's disgusting, and it's not how any human should operate. I don't understand how her son can walk inside knowing she's sitting out there!

I agree beccalynn, that's awful. I couldn't ever do that. I imagine the mom is distraught over missing such a momentous event.

I don't understand how this question never came up when they were planning.

It's terrible, but yes, they should have nailed this down when they started to plan.

I've had a number of service dogs at my weddings. They are more well behaved than most guests.

@stephanie Knowing the couple that got married, I can see them not considering his mother's needs because he doesn't make an effort to see her. She doesn't attend the church and lives about an hour away from him. That doesn't make it right or acceptable though.

That is really sad, I am so sorry. I have seen several service dogs in my church so it's not a universal church issue. I wish there was more to be done to fix that

@hannahdee I know the church we attend now would be open and accepting of service animals. I feel like a good, quality church would be welcoming to service animals even if it's not required of them by the law. It's called being a good human.

^ exactly!! And service dogs are extremely well trained so they are less of an issue than children, honestly