We must actively work to make them real in the fabric of modern society. To open the doors of the Church to persons with disabilities requires that we make accommodations which remove various barriers to their participation. Likewise, we must be ready to accept the accommodations which people with disabilities make to compensate for their limitations. The use of service animals represents such an accommodation. Service animals are specifically trained to meet defined needs of persons with disabilities.
Guide dogs assure safe, convenient mobility for persons who are blind.
Hearing dogs alert people who are deaf to important sounds which they cannot hear. Other service dogs provide assistance to people with physical disabilities by retrieving objects for them, opening doors, and so on. Now monkeys are being trained to provide similar assistance to people with physical disabilities. Service animals are trained under criteria that have been developed to insure that owner and animal form a team to accomplish the purposes for which the training has been provided. Owners are given definite rules to follow in keeping the animals alert to their duties and under control when in contact with other individuals or groups.