Despite federal and state laws, Mike Alcorn and his wife Meg were turned away from a Medford restaurant for having Alcorn's service dog Atlas with them.
MEDFORD TOWNSHIP -- Mike Alcorn didn't want to make a scene.
The Shamong Township resident and his wife, Meg, had stopped by Fortune Cookie restaurant in Medford to grab a bite to eat on Thursday afternoon, but were shocked when they were denied service for having Mike's service dog in tow.
Mike and Meg Alcorn said an employee of Fortune Cookie restaurant in Medford Township denied to seat them because Mike's service dog, Atlas, was with them on Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015. (Photo provided)"I was embarrassed," said Mike, a combat veteran who relies on 1 1/2 year-old German shepherd Atlas to help ease his post-traumatic stress disorder and other physical issues sustained during his service in the Army.
The couple said that despite Atlas' red service vest, federal ID cards, and the fact Mike cited laws prohibiting businesses from turning away customers with service dogs, an employee insisted dogs were not allowed in their establishment and would not seat them.
"He said 'If you want food, you can wait outside,'" Meg recalled in an interview Thursday evening, adding the man soon asked them to step aside so he could help a customer who just walked in.
Mike said conflicts are often a difficult trigger for him, so despite his frustration, he opted to walk out and leave the Tuckerton Road restaurant without a fight.
An employee who answered the phone at Fortune Cookie on Thursday night explained in limited English that they did not allow any dogs inside due to health code regulations when asked about the Alcorns' experience. The employee, who also said a manager was not available to speak to NJ Advance Media at the time, was not aware of federal or state laws regarding service dogs.
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Brian Berg is the training director of Marlton-based Semper Fido, the nonprofit organization that matched Mike with Atlas in June, and said situations like the one Mike faced happen far too often because businesses aren't aware the Americans with Disabilities Act bans denying service to an individual because they require a service dog.
"It's an absolute disgrace that these guys have to be treated like this, and have to worry about being turned away because no one understands the law," said Berg.
The Alcorns contacted Berg and his wife Lisa, the founder and president of Semper Fideo, soon after leaving Fortune Cookie. The Bergs told the couple to contact the Medford Township Police Department, which is now exploring options to address the situation, Meg Alcorn said.
Denials of service have resulted in both civil lawsuits against the offending company and changes to their operations. Wawa came to a $12,500 settlement with a Millville man in 2012 after a similar situation, and signs are now posted throughout the chain's stores acknowledging it allows service dogs inside.
Mike Alcorn, a combat veteran from Shamong Township, was paired with his service dog Atlas in June to help with Alcorn's PTSD and physical injuries. The pair, along with Alcorn's wife, were denied lunch at a Medford restaurant for having Atlas with them on Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015. (Photo provided) The company also agreed to train employees about service dog regulations -- and that's exactly the kind of awareness the Alcorns hope to spread by speaking out about their ordeal.
"There are so many reasons why people have service dogs now, that it's important people are aware these are essential," said Meg Alcorn, who added children with epilepsy also often rely on the dogs to help warn of an oncoming seizure.
"They serve a purpose constantly. It's not an option to leave the dog at home," she said.
Atlas went through six months of training to be able to take specific stances, positions and react when he and Mike are out in public. Atlas not only eases his anxiety and adds a level of comfort, he physically helps support Mike when his injuries cause difficulty walking.
"Atlas means the world to me," said Mike. "He's with me everywhere I go. If I start feeling uncomfortable or start feeling like something bad might happen, I touch down to him and know I'm not alone ... It takes away that feeling of nobody understanding. He's not judgemental. I can be in emotional crisis, I can feel bad about stuff, but he doesn't judge."
While Mike said he's able to move on from Thursday's incident, many veterans who struggle with anxiety in public places might not be able to. They might finally be feel comfortable leaving their homes once they're paired with a service dog, but a conflict like the one the Alcorns faced Thursday could undo all of that progress.
"I'm all about educating people because, granted it wasn't a great situation for me, but I could handle it. There are some guys who can't ...that confrontation happens and it shuts them down and they don't want to go out," said Mike. "It's not just about me, it's about everybody."
Michelle Caffrey may be reached at mcaffrey@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @ShellyCaffrey. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.
