by Drew Karedes
February 7, 2014
Photo courtesy metronewsday.com
HOUSTON — A disabled U.S. army veteran says he was confronted and embarrassed at a Houston Starbucks because of his service dog.
Yancy Baer is sharing his story in hopes of educating others. He is still adjusting to his life as an amputee.
Doctors discovered he had bone cancer after a non-combat related injury in Iraq in 2009. His left leg from the knee down had to be amputated.
“You go through the low points and high points,” explained Baer.
He experienced one of those high points 14 weeks ago. That’s when Baer got his physical service dog, Verbena, through a national organization called Canine Companions for Independence.
Yancy Baer and his service dog Verbena
(Photo courtesy khou.com)
The organization trains service dogs and provides the canines to disabled people.
Baer traveled to Houston from San Antonio this week to share his experience on behalf of the organization.
He traveled to a Starbucks at 5535 Memorial Drive on Wednesday for a meeting. He wasn’t expecting the greeting he received at the coffee shop.
“A gentleman from Starbucks meets me at the door and says I can’t have her in the store,” said Baer.
Baer says he explained that Verbena is his physical service dog.
“He stated, you’re not blind,” recalled Baer. “It was in your face, loud and bold. I got really nervous. I was shaking because I was being confronted.”