Veteran With PTSD Service Dog Unwelcomed At Wal-Mart?

UPDATE
Wal-Mart disputes veteran’s claim of ill treatment in store

“Service animals are welcome inside our stores,” Wal-Mart, headquartered in Bentonville, Ark., said in an emailed statement to the Herald. “After looking into the details of this situation including reviewing surveillance video and statements from associates, we’ve determined that our associate attempted to ask the customer about his dog and the customer immediately began verbally accosting both our associate and a member of management who attempted to assist. The customer treated our associates with disrespect including the use of profane language and was asked to leave the property or law enforcement would be called.” Wal-Mart declined to share the video clip with the Herald.

Vet says local Wal-Mart kicked him out over service dog issue
Killeen Daily Herald
Jacob Brooks Herald staff writer
July 25, 2015 4:30 am

Alvarado said he was very surprised by the situation. He had gone to that Wal-Mart many times before with his service dog and never had a problem.

HARKER HEIGHTS — An Army combat veteran suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder said he was forced out of the Harker Heights Wal-Mart Supercenter earlier this month after a store employee demanded to see paperwork for the service dog he had with him.

Dave Alvarado, 39, went to the retail store to buy a few items July 10, right after he finished a counseling session for his PTSD, which he said he developed during two tours in Iraq and one in Afghanistan.

When Alvarado, a Nolanville resident, entered the store with his PTSD service dog — a female red healer named Lil’ Bit — he was confronted by the Wal-Mart greeter.

“She physically stepped in front of me and said I couldn’t come in unless I showed a certificate showing it was a service dog,” he said. Lil’ Bit, who weighs about 50 pounds, was wearing her service dog vest, which says “Service Dog” on one side and “Ask to Pet” on the other.
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