Juan Alonzo - Miranda , a decorated veteran of the Iraq War , employ a religious service dog named Goldie to avail him cope with post - traumatic strain disorder ( PTSD ) . When he made the request to bring Goldie to work , his now - former employer took more than six - months to reply . To add revilement to wound , they also put limitations on the agreement .
Alonzo - Miranda , 33 , believes that Schlumberger Technology Corp. , a air division of Houston oil field mega society Schlumberger Ltd. , violated the Americans with Disabilities Act . The two faced off for the first meter in a San Antonio courtroom on March 17 , 2015 .
This casing is the first of its form to go to run in the United States . Alonzo - Miranda is sue Schlumberger Technology for compensatory damages for genial torment , back pay , and an unspecified amount of punitory impairment . The ship’s company has denied any error , but there are many other cases whereservice dogshave been allowed in the workplace .
Photo: Robin Jerstad
Alonzo - Miranda completed three circuit of duty in Iraq , two with the Marines and one with the Texas National Guard . In 2010 he joined the maintenance facility at Schlumberger where he put to work on large fossil oil field equipment .
In early 2012 he had a terror blast while on the occupation and suffered from self-destructive mentation . After that incident he quest that he be able-bodied to bring hisservice dogto work . Goldie , an eight - year - old Labrador commixture , had been certify just a few months prior based on the testimonial of Alonzo - Miranda ’s therapist .
Train a Dog - Save a Warrior , a San Antonio nonprofit grouping , had specifically trained Goldie to recognize andrespond to Alonzo - Miranda ’s PTSD . study have demonstrate thatservice dogscan have a positive effect on veteran ’s tenseness just by touch them .
Photo: Robin Jerstad
Alonzo - Miranda ’s lawyer , John W. Griffin , has submit that they are not out to get deep , but plainly to unfold the door for other ex-serviceman who are hope to fall in the workforce and master injuries , both mentally and physically , that were keep in war .
Service heel have been prove prison term and time again to help people cope with subject such as PTSD , and they want other veterans and their service animals to betreated fairly in the workplaceas well . Schlumberger responded that they needed corroboration from Alonzo - Miranda ’s doctor to explain why it was necessary for him to bring the dog to act and if any other accommodations could be debate .
The society also alleges that Alonzo - Miranda hide the fact that his psychologist and psychiatrist both told him that they did n’t support him bringing Goldie to work . They believe he continue to search for a doctor until he constitute one that would sign off on the request . They also say that he delay providing necessary medical records .
It is probable that there wo n’t be a ruling in the casing for months , but for the time being , Alonzo - Miranda is sour as a mortgage claims processor and Goldie accompanies him to work every day .
