A Canadian war veteran and former police officer claims he was discriminated against in a Leamington, Ont. restaurant.

Jim Thomas told CTV Windsor on Tuesday that he brought his service dog, Vitus, along with him to Peter’s Kitchen for breakfast with a friend on Friday. Thomas said the three-year-old yellow lab-golden retriever mix helps him cope with the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Thomas said he developed the disability after working on the police force for 39 years.

“Something snapped. I saw too much,” Thomas said. “I would get images flashing across my eyes of dead bodies.”

The Kingsville, Ont., man said his dog comforts him on a daily basis when he experiences night terrors or “checks out.”

“He (Vitus) was trained specifically on my triggers and how to assist me,” he said.

That’s why Thomas said he brought his service dog to the restaurant that day. He said the incident occurred after he placed his order with the restaurant’s waitress. One of the restaurant’s owners approached his table and told him that his dog would have to leave the property because of health concerns, according to Thomas.

“I started to try and explain to him of the human rights act and the accessibility for Ontarians with disabilities act, but he was just focused on getting us to leave,” Thomas said.

The former police officer said he provided the restaurant owner with Vitus’ vaccinations record, dog service certification and a note from his neuropsychologist, which indicates that he suffers from PTSD.

Thomas said what happened next traumatized him. He claimed the owner began loudly asking him what his disability was and whether or not he could see or walk.

“I’m not obviously challenged visually or anything mobility-wise, but people have to understand there are hidden disabilities,” Thomas said, his voice cracking.

Thomas and his service dog immediately left the restaurant after the confrontation.

CTV Windsor visited Peter’s Kitchen to discuss the incident and one of the owners told them it was a miscommunication. The owner told them he just wanted to see the dog’s documentation and invited Thomas and Vitus to come back for breakfast.

Thomas said he has no plans to return to the restaurant and that he is considering legal action against the business.

“I just wanted to have breakfast in peace,” Thomas said.

With a report from CTV Windsor’s Stephanie Masotti