Should The Disabled Be Allowed To Bring Dogs To Church
Saturday, November 28, 2009 14:49Many people with various disabilities also have social fears, and pets comfort them. Church’s are a very social environment. Lets explore whether people with disabilities should be allowed to bring pets such as dogs to church. Many people with various disabilities have assistance dogs, such as those that are blind or hearing impaired. People with other disabilities such as Autism and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome often have companion dogs to help them cope with stressful and social situations. To many disabled people their dogs are their lifelines, and without them they would have trouble coping.
In many states the American With Disabilities Act can be interpreted along with state level laws to allow people with disabilities to bring companion dogs anywhere they go, in order to help them function – but many people see this as an abuse of the intention of the American With Disabilities Act. I have a dog myself – his name is Lucky. I have decided that from now on any church I go to Lucky will be there with me, and if hes not welcome I am not welcome. I have Aspergers Syndrome a form of Autism and have a lot of trouble being overwhelmed in social situations, even more so in large crowds like churches.
Do you think people with disabilities should be allowed to bring companion dogs to church?
Ramon Selove says:
November 30th, 2009 at 6:24 pm
Churches are one of the few places that can legally discriminate against the disabled and their service dogs (and others for that matter.) The ADA doesn’t consider a church to be a place of public accommodation.
Still, I think it would be foolish for a church to choose to discriminate against service dogs. My son has a service dog and our church (Unitarian) not only welcomed the dog with open arms, they made a donation toward the cost of the dog as well.
I think that a church that isn’t welcoming doesn’t deserve you and you should move on.
By the way, my son and I are Aspies too.
rachelle says:
February 16th, 2010 at 11:04 pm
absolutely i think the disabled should be allowed to bring dogs to church. i looove dogs, i would love to see them in church. i think if u have a service dog, you should be able to take them anywhere that its safe.
Kieth says:
February 23rd, 2010 at 10:01 pm
I agree with rachelle, and I think churches of all organizations should be more tolerant.