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Parsippany Manager Takes Action
to Support Mistreated Disabled Vet
C
ourtney Tofanelli, manager at
to be known to the public how
AMPAL Group’s location in
disgusted and embarrassed I was as
Parsippany, New Jersey, received
a disabled veteran to be treated this
national media coverage and support
way in the same country that I fought
for providing a veteran a free meal
to defend our freedom…”
after he was mistreated at another
According to the Americans
local restaurant.
with Disabilities Act, a service animal
Former Marine Corey
must be permitted to accompany an
Houghtaling, his girlfriend and
individual with a disability to all areas
his service dog, Atticus, went to
of the facility where customers are
eat at a local Chinese restaurant
normally allowed to go. An individual
in July, but were denied seating in
with a service animal may not be
the main dining room because he
segregated from other customers.
was accompanied by the dog. The
Tofanelli came across Houghtal(Standing L-R) Leon Basdeo, Dave Zappa, Dan Morgan, Diana
reason, allegedly because the owner Lopez, Melissa Ostrander and Courtney Tofanelli. (Sitting L-R) ing’s post and contacted him,
was concerned about his customers’ Kahli Murphy, Corey Houghtaling, Atticus and Jenna Williams. requesting that he, his girlfriend and
health due to the presence of the dog.
Atticus come in for a full-service,
Houghtaling posted the expericomplimentary meal, which they
ence on Facebook, citing, “I felt like a Vietnam veteran coming
accepted. “His story caught my eye on Facebook. I can’t believe
back from the war because of the way I was refused. When I
that happened. Here’s somebody who fought for our country and
was refused seating in the restaurant I proceeded to call 911 to
he was denied service,” said Tofanelli. “The men and women
get ahold of the Franklin police department. I began to have a
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