Guide dogs in church, what congregations need to know
By the Rev. Rick Roderick, Consultant for Visual Disabilities
"Brenda" is a very active volunteer in a church. She lost significant vision and decided to get a guide dog when travel became increasingly difficult. She often accompanied the children's choir to help out the director. When she resumed these duties after training with her new dog, one of the children started crying during the rehearsal. The mother was concerned that the child was afraid of Brenda's dog. When the concern was brought to Brenda's attention, she agreed to accompany the children without her dog. However, she found travel difficult, and she did not feel safe. How should a choir director handle this?
"Kelly," a talented musician, had sung in a choir but left because of illness for several months. Her director invited her back, and Kelly was thrilled to return. However, one issue remained. One woman said that she could not be in the building shortly after a dog had been there because of severe allergies. The choir director offered her a ride and guidance around the building by church members during practice. However, Kelly felt that too much was at stake if she lost her independence during these rehearsals.
"Fred" just started attending a church with his guide dog, Ralphy. The congregation was very welcoming, but people kept coming up to pet the dog. This was very distracting to Ralphy's work. What could Fred do to educate the congregation, and what could the congregation do to facilitate this activity?
When I got my first dog, Angus, a little boy asked his mom, "If that man can bring his dog, why can't I bring mine? What can the church do to teach him about the duties of guide dogs and service animals and how they are different from pets?
How can we make sure that people with guide dogs and service animals are included in the life of our church? I hope to answer some of these questions in this article. My main focus will be on guide dogs who help the blind, because I have had three of them over the last 20 years, but much of what I say applies to other service animals as well.
What is a guide dog, and what does it do?
A guide dog is one that is specially trained to guide a person who is blind. It is taught to walk in a straight path and turn when indicated, go around objects, stop before curbs and other drop-offs, and stop if a car is approaching. Some people prefer the term “guide dog” while others use “dog guide.” Service animals perform other tasks, such as reaching for objects for someone in a wheelchair and signaling to someone who is deaf when a doorbell rings. These dogs are also taught obedience commands so that they are under control in public. A handler and dog compose a team. The handler is ultimately in charge, but a relationship of interdependence results. Both the dog and the handler need each other.
Can I pet or play with a guide dog?
Generally, this is discouraged. When the harness is on, the dog is on duty. If you have an urge to pet, feel free to ask the handler. If someone asks me if they may pet my current guide, Randy, I will sometimes say yes, but only in situations when I can take the harness off.
What other activities should I avoid doing?
Never give a guide dog a treat without asking. Do not feed the dog “people food.” This can be dangerous or cause the dog to expect snacks at inappropriate times. Never grab a dog's harness. If you need to move a guide dog, use the leash with the handler's permission.
Someone in the congregation is afraid of the dog. What do we do?
Present the problem to the handler. See if he or she can come up with a solution. Let the fearful person move away and encourage them to approach the dog gradually. Guide dogs are not trained for guard duty and therefore not dangerous. If a parent says that a child is afraid of the dog, try to ascertain if the fear is from the parent or the child. In either case, take the steps outlined above.
A person in my congregation has allergies. What do we do?
This question does not have a clear-cut answer. Often, many questions must be asked to get to the root of the problem. In some cases, a mild allergic reaction seems much stronger when mixed with fear. The issue of fear and allergy need to be dealt with separately.
The greatest danger churches face in dealing with these issues is that decisions are made too quickly without having all the answers. A good rule of thumb is, when in doubt, ask questions. In this way, solutions are more likely to be agreed upon that satisfy all parties involved. Negotiation is an important element of this strategy. The dog handler and the person with the allergy should be brought together with a person who is a good listener. A church professional, a member of the congregation, or an outside mediator, may perform the listener role.
A variety of solutions to allergy concerns may be tried. Sitting across from each other may solve the problem. If this does not work, sprays, such as Allerpet may be used. A garment called Dog Topcoat is also available, which keeps dander from being exposed to other people. Medication may help the allergy-sufferer deal with the problem. Air filtering machines can sometimes alleviate symptoms. The least necessary intervention should be used first, and both individuals should be given as much respect as possible.
What accommodations should churches make for guide dog users?
Let the dog handler be as independent as he or she wants to be, but be available if and when assistance is needed. Make sure that there is room for the dog when the person is involved in church activities. This generally means in front of, to the side of, or under the seat where the handler is sitting. Another consideration is that an area is available where the dog can be taken out. The type of surface depends on handler preferences but may include a concrete or grassy area. A trashcan that is always unlocked should be available at all times.
What educational opportunities does a guide dog team provide to a congregation, and how should people learn about them?
The church can do much to teach people in this area. When I brought Angus home in 1981, I gave a children's sermon about our work together. I talked about how all of us have gifts, including animals. Then, I described what Angus did for me. I have spoken before youth groups, pre-schools, and in other situations. I believe that adults often need this education as well as children. Many of the guide dog schools have videos describing what they do and how people should act around guide dog teams. They are often able to provide speakers on this subject, and all have brochures. Several of these schools have websites, which will be listed at the end of this article. The handler can write an article for a church newsletter or bulletin insert about his or her guide dog.
Having a guide dog and/or service dog in church can be an enriching experience for both the team and the congregation. May we allow the Holy Spirit to show us new opportunities of working, playing, and worshiping together.
Guide Dog School Web Sites:
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