By Sarah Stone

Top stories of 2014: Veteran, PTSD service dog turned away from business

Dec 25, 2014 | 7:07 AM

Our 7th story of 2014 put the spot light on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Michael Sharron, a 43-year-old veteran, was turned away from Smitty’s restaurant in March because he had his service dog, Rylie, with him.

Sharron said he went into Smitty’s for lunch with his father in-law and Rylie, and was told by staff that dogs weren’t allowed.

He explained it was a medical service dog for a condition he has, he recalled in December.

That condition is PTSD, which he is suffering from as a result of his time in the military.  Rylie helps him manage symptoms. It’s trained to recognize signs of anxiety or similar kinds of attacks, and to start interacting with Sharron.

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“He asked me what was wrong with me and I told him that was none of his business what my medical condition is,” he said.  “I told him that I have paperwork to show him Rylie is a certified service dog and all he was concerned about was what was wrong with me, which I do not have to disclose to anybody.”

At that point Sharron was told he would have to leave, so he went to a bench at the entrance of the restaurant to make a phone call and he came over to say he’d have to go outside to do that, he explained.

“The business owner has rights as well.  They are entitled to know about the service dog and that he is certified and that you’re not just bringing your household dog into your place which I understand,” he said.

However, Rylie had his service vest on and Sharron had ID tag and paperwork, he said.

 “It just kind of rattles you,” he said. “When you get put with your back against the wall kind of deal, a lot of anxiety comes up and you can’t think.”

At the time, owner of Smitty’s Ray Littlechilds said Sharron didn’t provide documentation.

“All we were trying to do was live by the letter of the law of the health regulations and purposes and that’s something that’s very strict, and there’s a lot of meningitis, etcetera. We have to run with the health regulations. Smitty’s does run with health regulations,” Littlechilds said in March.

Since the incident legal action has been taken.

“The lawyer right now, it’s gone to Human Rights.  I have no word right now on what’s happened with it.  With it can take a year or so to get any answers and find out what’s going on,” Sharron said.

He would like to see knowledge on PTSD more understood so public perception can change.

“The more that the world gets out there and the more that people know about it, the less hassle somebody else will have and myself will have in the future,” Sharron said.

Since the story was published Sharron said he’s had a lot of positive feedback.

To read more of our top stories of 2014, click here. 

sstone@panow.com

On Twitter: @sarahstone84