Now the young man has filed a discrimination complaint.
It’s not the first time owners of the Panda Super Buffet have told someone with a service dog to leave, but veteran Brian Wallis is hoping that it will be the last.
In addition to normal commands, Koon helps his owner, Brian Wallis, with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD.
“I struggle with anxiety, depression. My mood is always up and down, up and down.” he said.
Wallis served in the Army National Guard, part of the 39th Military Police Company. He was diagnosed with PTSD last yea. That’s when he got Koon.
“(He’s the) Best thing that’s ever happened to me.” he said.
He brings Koon almost everywhere, and is used to being questioned.
“I’ll just stop and say, he’s a service animal.” Wallis said.
And according to the Americans with Disabilities Act, that’s all Wallis is required to do.
But dinner Friday was different.
“The lady went to ‘no dogs are allowed in here; you have to take you dog outside.’ I go to pulling out all my paperwork, trying to show that he is a service animal, He is registered; he is allowed to go in with me. They just weren’t having it.” he said.
Managers called Lake Charles police who talked to the employees and Wallis, but neither side came to an agreement.
Though he has no intention of returning to this restaurant, Wallis reminded everyone of the law.
“Every service animal out there should be allowed, as is in the federal law, to go anywhere the public has access to go,” he said.
Wallis has since filed an official complaint against the restaurant, hoping that the law will be enforced, and Panda Super Buffet will change its policy.
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