![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.azuse.cloud\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/gsd-service-300x152.jpg\")
\nGSD Service Dog<\/p>\n
\nGSD Service Dog<\/p>\n
One of our ninjas took to the keyboard and relates the story of a disabled veteran and her service dog, RJ. Seems her employer had issues with the animal in the workplace, and went out of his way to…well. Read on.<\/p>\n
ninja<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cA disabled U.S. Army veteran wounded in the Iraq War has sued the federal government, arguing her Raleigh-based employer harassed her for using a German shepherd service dog at work, requiring her to keep the animal leashed and surround her desk with a baby gate.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSeantoya Hinton, who was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, also alleged the U.S. Department of Agriculture denied her request to work from home though people working similar jobs were allowed to do so.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHinton also said her supervisor retaliated when she contacted an equal-employment opportunity officer at work, then created a hostile work environment by encouraging other employees to spy on her and slamming the baby gate closed.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHinton seeks a new position with equal responsibilities and pay, lost salary and benefits and damages for mental suffering.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHinton fractured both feet when an IED exploded under her Army vehicle in 2003, requiring multiple reconstructive surgeries.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHinton developed PTSD symptoms in 2013 and, after therapy, was diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder, the suit said. A social worker with the Department of Veterans Affairs recommended a service dog in 2015, and Hinton was paired up with \u201cRJ\u201d to elevate her mood.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cStarting in 2014, Hinton began work as the USDA office manager over all state plant health offices in North and South Carolina.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe worked a \u201cmaxiflex\u201d schedule allowing flexible hours for medical appointments, and was originally approved for telecommuting time during surgeries and then every Wednesday.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRJ would sit by Ms. Hinton\u2019s desk while she worked and would walk beside her as she moved around the office to complete various tasks.\u201d<\/p>\n In 2018, her supervisor, North Carolina Plant Heath Director Joseph Beckwith presented an \u201cagreement\u201d for Hinton to sign: RJ would be on a leash, crated or restrained at all times, and three violations would get him banned from the office. Hinton felt she had to sign the agreement, but she filed a grievance with her union.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHer lawsuit stated while using the copier, Hinton had to use both hands, making it impossible to keep RJ\u2019s leash in her hand at all times. Additionally, if RJ was restrained inside Ms. Hinton\u2019s workstation, if she were to fall, RJ would not be able to get to her.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShortly after, the suit said, Hinton\u2019s request to work remotely was denied, and her cubicle was enlarged and surrounded by the gate.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHer lawsuit also stated that Hinton explained to Beckwith that slamming the gate triggered her PTSD symptoms, causing mood swings, anxiety and panic attacks. Beckwith continued to slam the gate closed with no regard to Ms. Hinton\u2019s disability.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHinton made an informal complaint with her EEO office, and shortly afterward, learned from Beckwith that she had violated RJ\u2019s agreement. When he told her she would be placed on administrative leave, she called the Wounded Warrior Suicide Hotline. She was not suicidal, but needed to talk with someone.\u201d<\/p>\n Based on that, this past January, she was told to resign or return to her job with a \u201cdoctor\u2019s letter indicating she is able to perform the essential functions of her job, per her job description, without being a danger to herself or others.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Her Lawsuit:<\/p>\n Pacer Monitor<\/a><\/p>\n Read the original article here: News Observer<\/a><\/p>\n Thanks, ninja!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"