Her Best Friend Banned Her Psychiatric Service Dog From Her Wedding But Still Expects Her To Be A Bridesmaid

If you had a best friend who invited you to be a part of their wedding, but banned your service dog from being there with you, how would you handle that?

This 29-year-old woman has a best friend the same age as her named Lena, and they have been close since they were only 12.

Lena is getting married in October, and six months ago, Lena asked her to be a bridesmaid. She was so excited that she sobbed and said yes.

"Here's the issue. I have a psychiatric service dog named Ollie. He's a golden retriever, fully trained, and he goes everywhere with me," she explained.

"He's not a pet; he's medical equipment. He alerts to panic attacks before they happen and helps me ground during dissociative episodes. I've had him for three years. I don't go anywhere without him."

"Lena knows all of this. She's seen me have a panic attack. She's seen Ollie work. When she asked me to be a bridesmaid, I said yes but told her I'd need to bring Ollie to the wedding and to all the pre-wedding events: the shower, the bachelorette, the rehearsal."

Lena said that Ollie was totally invited to everything. But two weeks ago, Lena called her to say that her wedding venue has a strict no-pets-allowed policy.

She reminded Lena that Ollie is a service dog, so he is legally allowed to be at the venue under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Lena replied that while she's aware of this, the owner of the wedding venue is super old-fashioned, so she does not want Ollie creating drama at her wedding. Lena then requested that she leave Ollie at home.

The Protograph - stock.adobe.com - illustrative purposes only, not the actual person - pictured above is a bride outside

She responded that it doesn't work like that. Ollie's not like a handbag or a cute accessory she can leave behind. If Ollie isn't with her, she could have a full-blown panic attack at the wedding and really ruin Lena's day.

"She got quiet and said, 'Can't you just take extra medication that day?' I was stunned. I said no, that's not how my condition works either," she added.

She said, 'I'm not trying to be ableist; I just really need my wedding to go smoothly, and the venue is being difficult.' Now she's saying maybe I should step down as a bridesmaid 'to avoid stress for both of us,' but she still wants me at the wedding."

"But if I can't bring Ollie, I can't come at all. And if I'm not at the wedding, I don't know if our friendship survives."

She is so offended, as she has been with Lena through absolutely everything imaginable. She went to her wedding dress fitting, picked out the venue, and bought a $400 bridesmaid dress she most likely will never wear for one single day.

So to have Lena treat her like she's inconvenient for having a disability is beyond hurtful. She gets that weddings come with a mountain of stress, so she's wondering if perhaps she's being too rigid and should work to find some kind of solution, like heading to a hotel room for the reception where Ollie is allowed.

She's left wondering if she's wrong for overall wanting to tell Lena that if Ollie can't come at all, there's no way she can be at the wedding.

She should call the venue herself and inform the owner that Ollie's a service dog. If the owner would like to discriminate against her, then she should report her or blast her on social media.

I'm curious if Lena just doesn't want Ollie there because she feels he will steal her spotlight.

What do you think?

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