Gulf War Veteran Lost Job Because of Service Dog

Desert storm veteran claims he was forced out of job because of service dog
WECT News
By: Susanna Black
Posted: Nov 05, 2015

Molly, Ian Radford's service dog, helps him daily to cope with PTSD. (Source:WECT)

WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) - A disabled veteran is speaking out after he claims he was forced out of his job because of his service animal.

Ian Radford served in the U.S. Army during Desert Storm, and now deals with the effects of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, an illness that seven to eight percent of people in the United States will deal with at some point in their lives. He relies on his service dog, Molly, to help him through his day to day life.

"I knew she would help me, but I didn't realize how much she would help me," Radford said.

She accompanies him everywhere he goes, including his job, until he said his employer, Cape Fear Eye Institute, began to raise concern about Molly being in the office.

At first, Radford said Molly stayed in a small room near his desk, but he noticed her training declining because she was not with him during the day.

"She needs to be in constant contact with me," Radford said. "She can see me, she can hear me, so she knows that's the guy I'm supposed to be looking out for."

His boss suggested he kennel Molly instead, so he agreed to give it a try. Radford said her training only got worse.
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