Service Dog Denied Entry

I wonder what excuse they would have used to keep her out if she didn't have a service dog. Obviously, the dog was just a convenient excuse -- the real reason was because she had left the church previously and was being shunned by her son and the rest of the congregation.

In addition to being a church and exempt, i think that seeing eye dogs are the only service dogs that actually legally have to be permitted everywhere else. I am very sorry this happened to her.

@Nancy T You're totally right. FH and I were uninvited from two weddings, his parents hardly speak to him unless it's about money, and all three guys who said they would be groomsmen (including the groom from this wedding) dropped out and said they weren't interested in attending at all. This is not typical of churches in my area. This church in particular tells members not to talk to people that leave and spreads rumors about those who leave. It ruins families without looking twice. I can respect that legally the church is cleared, but they are morally bankrupt.

@Nancy-our accommodation laws are very different up here which is why I didn't say anything. No public establishment can discriminate against someone who has a disability, nor can service animals be denied. Up here we have had several changes to our accessibility laws from human rights challenges.

However, if a church is exempt (as it is down there) it is at the discretion of whomever runs the church to accommodate the person with the disability. No, it's not fair but unless people fight for fair treatment, it's not going to change.

@JessieJV: Sounds like down here. I teach public school and you wouldn't believe the accommodations we have for handicapped kids. I have dined with service dogs, flown with service cats ( yes cats!) attended The 4th of July at The Hollywood Bowl with a service dog on duty and also saw a service monkey in a line at a theme park.. This is what makes this whole deal so odd. This church sounds bizarre. I can't imagine what denomination it is. Certainly not Presbyterian! Please don't judge all churches like this weird one. Most are very accommodating.

@Elphaba You explain things so well. It's greatly appreciated.

@Nancy D This particular church claims to be non-denominational.

The whole thing is bizarre and tragic. Completely unacceptable at every level.

I'm an intensive special ed teacher and I grew up Catholic. I don't go to church anymore bc I dont see my students, who I fight for and who I have a passion for day in and day out, in my church. Some catholic schools give far better education, I know it because I revieved one and in thankful for it but since I didn't see kids who were different from me it sets a stigma and its clear. We are not better than anyone no matter the difference in abilities, we all are different. Seeing people who are different from you at a young age can stop the stigma and that's not what I saw in my schooling. It makes me so mad. My parents and family doesnt understand it but they also don't speak of those with disabilities in the most respectful way but they also weren't exposed to it. Gah! Things like this make my blood boil. Sorry, I'm off my soapbox now.

@adventuresofruth, it is not just seeing eye dogs. There is a difference between service animals and therapy/emotional support dogs. A trained service animal is not the same as a pet that was "registered as a service animal". FH has a service dog, not a seeing eye dog (those are just the most known types of service animal). It really actually irks me that people can "make my pet a service animal so I can take it on planes/be more convenienced"

I don't get how a service dog can go on a plane with you but not in a church!....out of all places!

As some stated, this is absolutely NOT illegal.. Churches are exempt from ADA. It is unfortunately that this had happened to the mother though.

I'm a pastor I welcome all dogs service animals or not. We have a pet friendly policy.

Churches can suck so much

It is important to note that not all news sources reported the entire story. For instance the fact that the family was given three options two months before the wedding and turned down all three... so this was not a last minute surprise to the wedding couple or their family. That said my feelings are mixed... knowing the family was aware the dog would not be allowed. The church cannot be expected to change the policy for one unless it changes it for all. Should there be exceptions, probably but the church regards the policy as a protection for the parishioners with allergies and a tremendous fear of dogs... my nephew being one of the latter stemming from an attack from a previously docile dog that literally ripped his face off. It never seems fair when one side or the other cries foul. Making a media frenzy when all the facts are not equally presented by all makes people jump to conclusions... hence the terms incomplete or fake news come to mind. Perhaps the family could have raised awareness ahead of time or chose an option presented to them or another venue. Still I do feel sad that the mom could not attend. If it were my mom I would have chose another option.

Wow....if that doesn't say hypocrite!

I'm so sorry this happened. Proper service dogs are greatly trained so, it should have been fine after being discussed beforehand. Please know that not all churches are like this and that isn't normal and okay behavior. :/

And now I have become even more aware of the facts including that there was dissension in the family... the couple stood by the church’s decision and was fully aware of it ahead of time. No wonder the clergy stated that this is really more of a family problem than a church one.... a nice way of saying the family didn't get along. This story is not as simple as the headlines read. Human nature when it comes to weddings that tensions and emotions rise. I simply wish everybody could have just realized how hurtful it would be in the end and chose an option presented by the church or another venue. Family rifts are difficult to repair when a stitch in time saves nine.

@Dave I had no clue this was a news story. This is a situation where FH and I know the people involved personally. My opinions on the matter stem from knowing these people and knowing what happens to families when one family member leaves the church.

Beccalyn... this has been picked up by every news network... small town NH headlines read Mother forced to miss wedding because church denies entrance because of service animal... implying of course throughout the story that she got to the church and was fully unaware she would be turned away. Still I am sorry it happened at all regardless of the reason. No mom should feel any situation is too great to overcome so she can attend her child's wedding ceremony

Churches don't have to abide by ADA laws but in general they do. So sorry she had to go through that.

@Dave I googled after reading your comments. She did go to the church dressed to go in with her service dog and didn't make it into the ceremony. The whole situation is wild to me. I would feel an intense amount of anxiety walking into that church now as someone who left. I can almost guarantee having to walk into that building would cause me to have panic attacks, so I can't imagine how stressful it would be for someone with PTSD.