Disabled IDF veteran says he was forced to leave McDonald's with service dog

Aviv Levy, a disabled IDF veteran with PTSD, said he was asked to leave a McDonald's at Gan Shmuel Junction on Monday because of his service dog. Levy told Channel 12 that he and his family had ordered and sat down when an employee insisted he leave, despite Levy presenting documents proving the dog's status. The incident left him stressed for days. PTSD service dogs gained equal legal status to guide dogs in 2022.

Aviv Levy, a disabled IDF veteran who relies on a service dog for PTSD, said he was asked to leave a McDonald's at Gan Shmuel Junction in northern Israel on Monday. In an interview with Channel 12 News on Thursday, Levy explained that he rarely goes to crowded places because of his condition, and that the dog helps him cope with noise and crowds. He said he and his family had already placed their order and sat down when an employee approached and insisted he leave, despite Levy presenting documents proving the dog's status as a service animal. Levy described the dog as calm and said other customers even asked to pet it. The incident left him in a state of heightened stress for several days; he said he did not sleep all night and called it frustrating. PTSD service dogs were granted the same legal status as guide dogs in 2022, along with medical alert dogs and assistance dogs, entitling their handlers to equal access to public spaces, including restaurants.