Disabled Veteran Mocked, Kicked Off Boardwalk over Service Dog

Disabled Veteran Mocked, Kicked Off Boardwalk over Service Dog

U.S. Army veteran Jared Goering was kicked off the North Wildwood boardwalk Thursday night because he had his service dog by his side.

A North Wildwood police officer issued Jared and his wife a summons because of the dog. Goering said, “I expected to get more respect from him because of the jobs that we both have to do.”

“He mockingly asked if all veterans get service dogs,” said Jared’s wife, Sally Goering, “his dog is medically necessary and he is a service dog.”

Jared and his wife Sally say the incident occurred on the 26th street North Wildwood boardwalk. The Goering family said, even after showing the officer the dog’s service identification card, he still issued them a summons and kicked them off the boardwalk.

Goering served in the army from 1993-2012; in 2009 in Afghanistan, his vehicle was blown up twice by IEDs within 36 hours. He uses his dog, Gator (short for Navigator), to help him walk and go up and down stairs. Gator also helps him emotionally; Goering suffers from PTSD, severe anxiety, and depression.

Police officials said there are no pending charges, but they are continuing an investigation. The mayor said they will issue an apology when the findings of the investigation are revealed.

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