Service Dog Denied Entry

Wow I would have mentioned that before she came. Still a huge shame!

@HisBeauty does the school routinely turn away service animals or are they just discriminating against a breed that have also been referred to as Nanny dogs.

I would immediately stop attending a church that did not allow a service animal, that's asinine and discrimination.

Really shameful on the church's part. Boo! Service animals are amazing. I don't understand what they thought would happen.

@sovatastic, sadly just the breed... One elementary school actually posted a service dog in their yearbook next to his owner. It was so adorable!!

http://www.wptv.com/news/region-c-palm-beach-county/loxahatchee-acreage/student-and-his-service-dog-featured-in-yearbook-pictures-at-frontier-elementary-school

ETA: words

@Sovatastic I agree completely. We stopped attending because this particular church is very controlling. To be honest, if my mom couldn't come in I would stop the whole thing. Move everything outside, cancel the ceremony, do something to accommodate the woman who raised me up.. That might seem dramatic, but I can't imagine letting her sit outside while I'm in the air conditioning saying my vows.

There is a service dog that visits our church regularly. He is very well behaved and very well liked by all.

Why would any pastor at a church object to a service dog?

That is infuriating. My FH takes his service dog to his families church and my families synagogue all the time. I can't believe they wouldn't let her in with the dog. I didn't realize churches were exempt.

There are no animals allowed in a church. Respect the church. If they are religious. They should have known. Sorry for her. Sorry not sorry for the dog.

I'm sorry but I have no respect for a church that turns away a person because they require the abilities of a service animal. If a church wants respect, they should start by showing some. It was disrespectful to this woman to refuse to allow her service dog inside. What would have happened if she had, had an episode relating to her disability while indoors without the presence of the animal who is trained to pick up on signals of an oncoming episode and assist their owner? What if the disability is something that could potentially be life threatening if not caught in time?

A church does not automatically demand respect just because it's a church. A church EARNS respect by showing kindness and compassion to others and not having a stick shoved up their tightwad ass.

I can't fathom that. Every church my family has attended I've seen several service dogs through the years. When I was in high school, the youth pastor actually trained his daughter's service dog for crowds on Sunday mornings. That's just so sad.

Somebody needs to make an appointment with the church's "higher ups" and educate them. I have never heard of a church denying access to a service dog. Like I said above, there is one that comes to our church. Our church( Presbyterian) also has wheelchair access, ramps, hearing devices ,visual devices and offers assistance to any physically challenged person from a deacon. This is outrageous.

@soontobemrs - do you understand the concept of a service dog? If a church said they did not allow insulin in their building would you tell a diabetic "sorry not sorry"? These dogs are medication to some people. As a religious person I can not see how not allowing a service dog would be even an option. These are highly trained animals that behave better than most grown adults. They are not smelly, dirty mutts off the street.

ETA: And before you respond, yes I am very aware of ADA. Just because a church isn't required to allow them does not make it right and does not mean that Godly thing to do would be to help and support those with needs different than our own.

@Nancy-you don't seem to understand that if they don't have to comply, they won't.

OP, I'm so sorry.

Update: Her son is standing by the church's decision. That's exactly how relationships get destroyed. My heart goes out to this woman.

I also didn't realize churches were exempt. That's awful :/

This is one of the most heartbreaking things that I have ever read on here, outside of the deaths of beloved family members.

Soontobemrs, if a friend of mine was refused entrance somewhere due to her service dog, she could pass out, have a seizure and hit her head.. her dog is trained to alert her prior to seizure, and prior to passing out (low blood pressure).

My heart breaks for this woman OP. I couldn't imagine dismissing my mother's feelings like that.

The son who got married has a seizure disorder, so his lack of empathy baffles me. I've since learned more about the situation. This woman attended the church years ago and left, so she was shunned for that. That could be a major part of why she wasn't accommodated. This is a church that claims to be non-denominational, open, and accepting. FH and I have been shunned for leaving as well, which is why we were uninvited to the wedding. None of it is okay, and none of it is a reflection of love. I just want to wrap this woman in a hug. Fortunately, a different son of hers also left the church and is standing by her through this. It's just all so gross.

@JessieJV: I have been to a variety of churches and this is the first one I have ever heard of NOT doing it. Read my post. These churches don't legally have to provide handicapped anything , but do. Somebody needs to chat with the big whigs at the church. Perhaps they are not aware of the issue or maybe they're worried about allergies.. whatever. It may be a simple case of talking to someone and can easily be cleared up. I assume handicapped laws are similar in Canada.