Another PTSD veteran kicked out for having a service dog

A protest against the diner turned into a PTSD Awareness Event and lesson in forgiveness.


 UPDATE From NECN
Fallout for diner grows after veteran, service dog denied
August 27, 2013

(NECN: Katelyn Tivnan) - It's no surprise conversations at this Oxford, Mass. coffee shop surround recent controversy at nearby Big I's diner.

Over the weekend, the eatery's owner kicked out veteran James Glaser and his service dog.

The story has spread around town and beyond.

“You got someone with a service dog,” said Air Force veteran Ron McGrath. “Legal, you should have accepted him and not made a big deal out of it. Now he's being very belligerent about it so he gets what he deserves.”

After the Iraq veteran was kicked out of Big I's for bringing his service dog inside, he posted it to Facebook.

The post already has more than 20,000 shares and is still growing.
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UPDATE
Apology served at diner that refused service dog
LESSON LEARNED ABOUT PTSD
By Kim Ring
TELEGRAM and GAZETTE STAFF
August 27, 2013

OXFORD — Big I's restaurant owner Russell Ireland says he has learned his lesson.

And since James Glaser, an Air Force veteran, thought the owner of Big I's restaurant on Main Street needed a little education about post-traumatic stress disorder and the use of service dogs to treat it, everyone involved should satisfied.

But they're not.

On Tuesday, Mr. Ireland apologized on the radio during WAAF's "Hillman Morning Show" after some of the hosts questioned him about tossing Mr. Glaser and Jack, his service dog, out of the restaurant on Saturday. He apologized again in a telephone interview. He has said he just didn't believe that the small dog could possibly be a service animal.

Mr. Ireland said Tuesday he's not contrite because of threats on social media or harassing calls to his business but because he has new understanding of Mr. Glaser's situation since a few veterans have come in or called and kindly explained to him some things he didn't know.

"I learned a lot about PTSD since this happened and I'm still learning even more," he said. "I understand the whole PTSD thing and the dogs a lot better that I did prior to this."
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Police: Oxford restaurant owner kicks out war vet, service dog
FOX Boston
Aug 25, 2013

OXFORD, Mass. (MyFoxBoston.com) – A disabled Iraq war veteran is asking patrons of Big I's in Oxford to boycott the restaurant after the owner allegedly yelled profanities at him when he walked in with his service dog.

On Saturday morning, James Glaser, who suffers from PTSD, and his service dog "Jack" went to the Big I's located at 578 Main St. for something to eat; however, when they arrived, they were not welcomed warmly by the restaurant's cook and owner.
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