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Just a reminder that this is not a new policy. Disabled service-dog handlers have been dealing with this issue for years. As a service dog trainer, I have been denied access to attend @LDSchurch meetings with my SDiTs countless times, for no reason other than that they can do so. https://twitter.com/the_churchnews/status/1305951524929990656
Unfortunately this policy is standard for churches across the entire U.S. as, per the ADA, places of worship are exempt from being required to allow service animals.
I believe, however, that the @LDSchurch should be more open minded to being welcoming to ALL their members.
I believe, however, that the @LDSchurch should be more open minded to being welcoming to ALL their members.
Here are just a few reasons I have been given by bishops as to why my guide dog trainees are not allowed (again, although state law gives my service dogs in training public access rights, federal law allows churches to be exempt from allowing service dogs):
1. It would disrupt the spirit.
2. It would be distracting (despite the dog’s extensive training to be calm, quiet, and out of the way).
3. Someone else, in the future, may also need to bring their service dog, so they couldn’t possibly allow mine.
2. It would be distracting (despite the dog’s extensive training to be calm, quiet, and out of the way).
3. Someone else, in the future, may also need to bring their service dog, so they couldn’t possibly allow mine.
4. People may have allergies.
5. People may be afraid of the dog.
(Note that although churches are exempt from permitting service dogs, for normal circumstances, the ADA states that 4 & 5 are NOT legal reasons to be able to deny a SD)
5. People may be afraid of the dog.
(Note that although churches are exempt from permitting service dogs, for normal circumstances, the ADA states that 4 & 5 are NOT legal reasons to be able to deny a SD)
6. The bishop just didn’t like dogs.
7. They needed to leave this opportunity open to other service dog handlers (again, there can be more than 1 service dog in a church meeting at once- if they are adequately & appropriately trained, they shouldn’t even acknowledge the other dog
7. They needed to leave this opportunity open to other service dog handlers (again, there can be more than 1 service dog in a church meeting at once- if they are adequately & appropriately trained, they shouldn’t even acknowledge the other dog
and there was not another service dog team in question; like #3, it was just a hypothetical).
8. The bishop refused to have a discussion about it with me, but allowed someone to bring their untrained pet.
9. The dog might destroy something.
8. The bishop refused to have a discussion about it with me, but allowed someone to bring their untrained pet.
9. The dog might destroy something.
10. It was deemed (with no convo) by ward leadership to not be a necessity for service dogs/in training to come to church with their handler.
(Also just a reminder that ESA’s are NOT service dogs and are not required to have training, nor do they have public access rights. It is accurate that only service dogs or, where local law allows, service dogs in training should be allowed.)
Because of a general unwillingness from church leadership to accommodate disabled members in this regard, my best advice to any future service dog handlers would be to first make sure that your SD has the age, training, and experience to settle for long periods of time.
Secondly, go to church without telling your leadership you are bringing your service dog. It is better to beg for forgiveness than ask permission.
In my experience, every time I have asked to bring my SDiT, they say no. But when I just show up with the dog, they comment that
In my experience, every time I have asked to bring my SDiT, they say no. But when I just show up with the dog, they comment that
they wouldn’t have even known the dog was there if they hadn’t seen me walk in and are more willing to allow it to stay.
Church members and leaders: please, please, please make the church (both culturally and physically) more accessible in all aspects of the word.
Church members and leaders: please, please, please make the church (both culturally and physically) more accessible in all aspects of the word.
If you made it through this thread, here’s a puppy picture for you. -Don’t forget that the Church can not be a safe, affirming, or welcoming place until it is that way for everyone! 
