A ground zero first responder suffering post-traumatic stress disorder was turned away from a New York City hospital when he tried to bring his service dog to a therapy session, he says.
Fifteen years after responding to ground zero, former New Jersey EMT Jamie Hazan had finally gotten the perfect prescription for his post-traumatic stress disorder: Bernie, a service dog.
He takes Bernie nearly everywhere, including doctors appointments. But when Hazan arrived at New York State Psychiatric Institute hospital in Washington Heights for his therapy session Tuesday, he was told Bernie wasn't welcome.
Hazan began recording the exchange on his cellphone.
"You can call whoever you want but I have a service dog and he's allowed to come in," he's heard telling hospital workers.
Despite federal and state laws allowing service dogs in public places, security guards called police when Hazan and Bernie wouldn't leave.
Hazan later told NBC 4 New York, "At a mental health care facility, it makes it an egregious violation of human rights."
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Under New York state law, service animals like Bernie are allowed into hospitals. When reached by NBC 4, a hospital spokesperson said the hospital "sincerely apologizes for the unfortunate situation."
"NYSPI is distressed and perplexed that these employees failed to abide by this policy and will take immediate action to address this incident and to make sure that other visitors are not treated like this going forward," a statement from the hospital read.
Hazan said he hopes his experience brings attention to the laws and more respect to those who count on service dogs like Bernie.
