Lauren Laliberte is counting down the days to her wedding on a Cape Cod beach to the love of her life.Steve Bohn is an Army veteran and Purple Heart recipient who survived a suicide bomb attack in Afghanistan in 2008.”She’s a nurse, a NICU nurse, so she’s my hero,” Bohn says. The couple reserved an Airbnb in Harwich to stay before and after the wedding on Saturday.Days away from their big day, the host canceled their stay after Lauren let them know Bohn’s service dog, Orion, would join them.”I’ve had three spinal surgeries, a lot of internal surgeries, so he can pick up keys for me if I drop them. The little tasks like that, bending over can be an issue,” Bohn said. The couple decided Orion would stay at home, yet the host is not budging, telling her, “The safety of my family will always come first.”Airbnb’s service animal policy says guests are not required to disclose the presence of a service animal but “A host may qualify for an exemption in certain circumstances, for instance, if the service animal directly threatens their health or safety.””It’s really disheartening,” Bohn said. Bohn says this isn’t the first time he and Orion have been denied service and believes service animal education is key.”That is number one because I think it would minimize these incidents that are happening,” Bohn said.Laliberte, Bohn, and their little one are staying hopeful they can keep their reservation or somehow find a new place for the big day.”Our specialized team has launched an investigation into this matter,” Airbnb said in a written statement. “We’re actively providing rebooking assistance to our guests, who we thank for bringing this issue to our attention. We have policies in place protecting the rights of guests with service animals.”Airbnb also let Laliberte know late Monday night that the company will cover the full cost of a new stay. Less than an hour after this story aired on TV, dozens of offers from generous viewers poured into the newsroom of sister station WCVB, offering the soon-to-be-married couple a place to stay on the Cape ahead of their wedding. “We really appreciate it, from the bottom of our hearts,” Laliberte said. Bohn plans to have his service dog with him at their wedding. “He’s been with me through thick and thin,” Bohn said.
Lauren Laliberte is counting down the days to her wedding on a Cape Cod beach to the love of her life.
Steve Bohn is an Army veteran and Purple Heart recipient who survived a suicide bomb attack in Afghanistan in 2008.
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“She’s a nurse, a NICU nurse, so she’s my hero,” Bohn says.
The couple reserved an Airbnb in Harwich to stay before and after the wedding on Saturday.
Days away from their big day, the host canceled their stay after Lauren let them know Bohn’s service dog, Orion, would join them.
“I’ve had three spinal surgeries, a lot of internal surgeries, so he can pick up keys for me if I drop them. The little tasks like that, bending over can be an issue,” Bohn said.
The couple decided Orion would stay at home, yet the host is not budging, telling her, “The safety of my family will always come first.”
Airbnb’s service animal policy says guests are not required to disclose the presence of a service animal but “A host may qualify for an exemption in certain circumstances, for instance, if the service animal directly threatens their health or safety.”
“It’s really disheartening,” Bohn said.
Bohn says this isn’t the first time he and Orion have been denied service and believes service animal education is key.
“That is number one because I think it would minimize these incidents that are happening,” Bohn said.
Laliberte, Bohn, and their little one are staying hopeful they can keep their reservation or somehow find a new place for the big day.
“Our specialized team has launched an investigation into this matter,” Airbnb said in a written statement. “We’re actively providing rebooking assistance to our guests, who we thank for bringing this issue to our attention. We have policies in place protecting the rights of guests with service animals.”
Airbnb also let Laliberte know late Monday night that the company will cover the full cost of a new stay.
Less than an hour after this story aired on TV, dozens of offers from generous viewers poured into the newsroom of sister station WCVB, offering the soon-to-be-married couple a place to stay on the Cape ahead of their wedding.
“We really appreciate it, from the bottom of our hearts,” Laliberte said.
Bohn plans to have his service dog with him at their wedding. “He’s been with me through thick and thin,” Bohn said.
