Veteran, PTSD service dog asked to leave St. John's courtroom

A veteran in St. John's says a judge in provincial court in St. John's asked him and his service dog to leave small claims court because he didn't recognize the dog as a service animal.

Shawn Lewis, who served with the Canadian Armed Forces in Bosnia, Croatia and Serbia in the 1990s, said he was told to leave the courtroom when he arrived with his registered service dog Missy, who helps him cope with post-traumatic stress disorder.

"I'm not willing to roll over on this anymore," Lewis told reporters Friday. "I'm tired of the confrontation and the harassment in regards to having a service dog."

"I don't have a visible disability but that doesn't give anybody the right to — especially upon presenting credentials — to say I can or cannot have access to public spaces."

"The excuse seems hollow," said Lewis, who became emotional and vomited after being told to leave the courtroom. 

Lewis said the judge called him back in the courtroom to apologize.

Lewis said the judge told him he was not aware of service dogs, despite Missy wearing a universal service dog vest. 

"A judge, or any other official or person in high standing who is ignorant of these laws should be held to a higher [standard]," Lewis said.

He credited sheriff's officers at the court for helping him following the ordeal.

Lewis, 47, had a similar experience when trying to board an Air Canada flight with Missy, who Lewis said never leaves his side.

The excuse seems hollow- Shawn Lewis, veteran

Another judge will preside over Lewis's case when it gets called at a different date. 

NDP MP Ryan Cleary spoke with Lewis to reporters outside of Atlantic Place in St. John's, where the provincial court is located.

Cleary said Lewis's case marks the third time that he knows of in which a veteran wasn't able to keep their service dogs with them.

Cleary said he wants there to be a national awareness campaign.