Iraq Veteran Speaks Out After PTSD Service Dog Kicked Out

Milton veteran speaks out after restaurant turns away service dog
Pensacola News Journal
Melissa Nelson Gabriel
August 17, 2017

A Milton Army veteran is speaking out after being questioned by a Fort Walton Beach restaurant owner about her service dog.

Brittney Healy, who spent a year in Baghdad, Iraq, working in mortuary affairs in 2010, relies on her service dog to help her feel comfortable and safe in public places. Healy, 25, enlisted in the Army at age 17 and deployed to Iraq a year later.

She said she wasn't fully prepared for the emotional impact of processing the bodies of dead Americans, Iraqis and children.

"That was tough," said Healy, who has battled post-traumatic stress disorder since leaving the Army. Healy is also a survivor of military sexual assault.
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Where Service Animals Are Allowed
Under the ADA, State and local governments, businesses, and nonprofit organizations that serve the public generally must allow service animals to accompany people with disabilities in all areas of the facility where the public is normally allowed to go. For example, in a hospital it would be inappropriate to exclude a service animal from areas such as patient rooms, clinics, cafeterias, or examination rooms. However, it may be appropriate to exclude a service animal from operating rooms or burn units where the animal’s presence may compromise a sterile environment.

Read  the rest of the law and print it. Take it with you in case you run into someone else who did not bother to get the facts ahead of time.