Disabled Iraq Vet With Service Dog Kicked Out Of Restaurant

A disabled Iraq War veteran was thrown out of an Oxford, Mass., restaurant because he brought his service dog in with him.

James Glaser suffers from post-traumatic stress syndrome, and his small dog Jack is his constant companion for medical reasons.

On Saturday, he and his wife along with Jack went to Big I’s Restaurant, but the owner told him to leave. “We just got into the restaurant and I hear ‘get that fake service dog out of my restaurant,’ ” Glaser said, according to WHDH, Channel 7, in Boston. Glaser provided the necessary paperwork to show that Jack is a certified service dog, but that apparently wasn’t enough for the owner. Local police were unable to convince the owner of the legitimacy of the service dog either.

Jack jumps on top of Glaser or puts his paws around his neck when the vet has anxiety attacks and calms him down

According to the Worcester Telegram, “Mr. Glaser, a 41-year-old Air Force veteran who attained the rank of master sergeant, said he was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder in November 2011 by doctors at a Veterans Administration hospital, the same month he retired after a 20-year-career.”

The owner, Russell Ireland, later apologized to veterans that he may have offended but also 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?”

Glaser is not allowed to enter the restaurant because the owner doesn’t want dogs in the establishment.

The veteran plans to file a lawsuit under the Americans with Disabilities Act which requires what’s called a public accommodation for disabled persons with service dogs.

Local residents apparently are up in arms, and a boycott of the restaurant is underway.

About two weeks ago, a disabled Army veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan was kicked off the North Wildwood, New Jersey boardwalk because he was accompanied by his service dog.

Added: See update to this story.