James Glaser with his service dog Jack tried to dine in Big I’s Restaurant in Oxford, Massachusetts but was quickly denied entry and was asked to leave. James Glaser is a 41-year-old Air Force veteran he was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder in November of 2011 when he retired and says that he does not leave his house without Jack by his side.
“I hear, ‘Get that fake service dog out of my restaurant!.’” Big I’s owner, Russell Ireland didn’t consider the canine a true service dog and said, “This is a post-traumatic stress dog. It's to give him emotional support. How much emotional support do you need when you are eating breakfast?”
James grabbed Jack’s paperwork to show the doubting owner that he was indeed a legitimate service dog but was still given a fight.
“I said, ‘I have his certification paperwork right here. He’s not fake, he’s 100% legit.’ He like, ‘I don’t give a [expletive]. I don’t have time for that. Get out of my restaurant.’” So James called the police and Sergeant Anthony Saad with the Oxford PD confirmed the dog’s paperwork and attempted to convince Ireland. While no charges were brought, the Iraq Vet says he will file a complaint with the Americans with Disabilities Act which states that businesses must, “allow someone with PTSD to bring in a service animal that has been trained to calm the person when he or she has an anxiety attack.” James said, “Got 21 distinguished years in the military. After everything we’ve done, we just shouldn’t be treated like that.”
The owner of a Massachusetts diner later apologized for throwing a disabled veteran and his service dog out of his restaurant.
Russell Ireland said to the crowd and to Glaser, "I stand here in front of you embarrassed, ashamed and I just ask for some forgiveness."
After the two hugged it out, Ireland said he now has a better understanding of veterans suffering from PTSD. "I never realized what a mistake I made. The information about post-traumatic stress and the situation of these vets, it needs to be addressed."
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