9/11 First Responder Says He Was Mistreated At Hospital Because Of Service Dog

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A 9/11 first responder is outraged, reporting that a Washington Heights hospital turned him away when he came for treatment because he brought his service dog.

As CBS2's Valerie Castro reported, cellphone video captured the troubling exchange between Jaime Hazan and security guards at the New York State Psychiatric Institute.

"It's against the law, and it's not fair," Hazan is heard saying in the video. "I need treatment, and you shouldn't be holding me back."

Hazan served the community in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks as a volunteer EMT at ground zero. Like so many other responders, he is still undergoing treatment for several things, and Bernie, his service dog, treats his PTSD.

"Bernie makes my life so much better," Hazan said. "Bernie is not approved by the FDA, but he's more effective than all the drugs they've got out there."

Hazan said this week, he had a therapy appointment at the institute. But he said guards stopped him when he walked into the lobby with Bernie by his side.

Seen on video, the guards claimed they needed to call a supervisor to determine whether Hazan could bring in his dog.

"I basically said, 'He's a service dog,' but that's after he said, 'Hey, no dogs,' and I'm like, 'Hey, have you read the law lately?'" Hazan said.

The situation escalated, and NYPD officers were called in. Hazan grew emotional explaining the situation.

"He's a service dog from Dogs for Warriors, he basically -- the dog helps me," Hazan tells the officers in the video.

After a discussion between officers and guards, Hazan was finally allowed inside.

"Tell me, why didn't you let me in?" he says in the video.

He told CBS2's Castro the guards "were unnecessarily being absolutely abusive in their behavior."

Hazan wants the guards fired, and he wants the New York State Attorney General's office to investigate.

The Attorney General's office said it cannot comment on the matter because it is a state facility, but the office is aware of the incident.

CBS2 reached out to the hospital for a statement on Friday, but did not immediately hear back.