Pet & Service Animal Policy
This policy establishes Southbridge Fellowship’s guidelines regarding animals brought into church buildings or church-sponsored indoor activities by members of the public, guests, facility users, and ministry participants.
Southbridge Fellowship welcomes individuals with disabilities and their trained service animals.
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a service animal is defined as a dog that is individually trained to perform work or perform specific tasks for a person with a disability.
Emotional support animals, comfort animals, therapy animals, and pets are not considered service animals under the ADA and are not permitted inside church buildings or during church services or activities unless expressly authorized by church leadership.
Service animals in training are generally not permitted inside church buildings or during church services or activities. Exceptions may be approved in advance by church leadership on a case-by-case basis.
Service animals are permitted in all areas of the church where members and guests are normally permitted.
All service animals must remain under the control of their handler at all times. Service animals should be leashed, harnessed, or tethered unless such devices interfere with the animal’s trained task or the individual’s disability prevents their use.
For the comfort and safety of all guests, service animals must:
- Remain with their handler at all times.
- Be housebroken.
- Be calm and non-disruptive.
- Not roam freely, jump on people, or approach others without invitation.
- Remain away from food service and hospitality areas except when accompanying their handler.
When it is not apparent that a dog is a service animal, church staff or the Safety Team may ask only the following two questions:
1. Is the dog a service animal required because of a disability?
2. What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?
Church staff and volunteers will not request documentation, certification, identification cards, or proof of training, nor will they inquire about the nature of a person’s disability.
If a service animal is out of control, is not housebroken, or behaves in a manner that disrupts worship services or church activities, the handler may be asked to remove the animal from the premises. The individual will be welcome to continue participating without the animal present.
Questions regarding this policy should be directed to the church staff in-person, by emailing info@sfchurch.com, or calling 919-789-9955.