Commercial Fixed Wing
Flight Attendant Current
Other / Unknown
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Other / Unknown
General None Reported / Taken
Company Policy; Human Factors
At the end of boarding the agent had passengers in jetway and was doing a visual on seats that were available.  I mentioned that the service dog was quite large and needed a bulkhead.  She said he was taking [seat] XXF.  The dog and handler was boarded and all bins were closed so I cleared all good to close with the Captain and the door was closed and doors armed.  Once pushback happened I became aware that the service dog was completely in the aisle at row XX.  I quickly asked the passenger at XC if she would be willing to go back and trade seats with the handler and service dog for takeoff and landing...she agreed!  So during taxi that swap out was made and I proceeded with the demo.  Now during the demo right before showing the life vest portion the Captain announced 'short taxi' at that point I did try to contact the cockpit and was unsuccessful...knowing they were quite busy. I then announced 'flight attendants secure the cabin and take your jumpseats.'  I continued to read the remainder of my announcement and also stated once we are in the air we will demonstrate the life vests once again.  We did so at level off...Now after level off the passenger at XXF returned to her seat and I knew that I could not send the military service dog (over 80 pounds according to the handler; 2 tours in Country X and 1 in Country Y) and the handler to XXF...so I had the active military officer and his special forces dog sit at the 1L door for the remainder of the flight (he strapped in as needed) and he returned to XC for landing and the passenger once again went back to XXF for landing.  I notified the Captain of the situation once I had done the above and I also came up with how any restroom breaks would be handled...I also advised the Captain and my crew that I would be reporting myself for my decisions and actions.  The Captain provided me with his information and said to include such information in my report as he supported my actions.The handler and dog should have had a bulkhead seat or should have been denied boarding...I should have been more proactive on this instead of depending on the agent to know what should be boarded and where to be placed.   I should have gone with my gut and not depended on the rest of the crew for information on how the aft/dog placement looked.  Returning to the gate was an option as well and truly this never popped into my head I went with the relocation option ---And I truly know that I only went with that option as it was a trained military dog and handler...I am from a military background and my heart and being is heavy military...I know that if this was just a normal dog I would have never done such placement or actions...I firmly know that...but it was a special situation and I pray you all understand.
Flight Attendant reported deviating from standard practices to seat a service member and his military working dog for the flight.