MOORESVILLE, N.C. — Roger Wiker is legally blind and has had his service dog since April.
"I have been to numerous doctors; I've had in-office surgeries, I've been to restaurants, I go to my church," Wiker said.
One day last July when he went to the Advanced Foot and Ankle Center in Mooresville he ran into a snag when staffers delivered some shocking news.
"The doctor will be more than happy to take care of your health care needs this morning but you will have to leave your guide dog out here in the waiting area," Wiker said he was told.
He said when he refused a staff member questioned the doctor again and again the doctor sent word that the dog, Fred, had to stay in the waiting room with Wiker's wife, citing sanitary reasons.
He said it was embarrassing because all of this happened in a waiting room full of people.
"My wife was humiliated in public. I was humiliated in public," Wiker said. "My dignity and my self-worth were extremely hurt."
Dr. Kurt Massey said his office has to do what's in the best interest of all of their patients.
"We attempted to accommodate Mr. Wiker," Massey said. "We do procedures in these rooms, we do amputations, we do joint injections, we do multiple procedures that require a level of cleanliness."
Wiker said he filed a lawsuit against the office, not just for himself but for all people with service animals.
"It's against the law to ask any person that has a service animal to be separated from their service animal," Wiker said.
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