PHOTO PROVIDED In a federal lawsuit filed June 18, 2025, Teresa Lehman, of Spring Township, alleges that the Bitner-Bechdel American Legion Post 623 in Beech Creek unlawfully asked her to leave an event because she had a service dog. Pictured is Izabella, Lehman’s 12-pound Shih Tzu, who was wearing the service dog vest shown here at the time of the incident described in the suit.

BEECH CREEK — A Centre County woman filed a lawsuit in federal court last week, alleging the American Legion in Beech Creek violated the Americans with Disabilities Act and state law by turning her and her service dog away from a public event.

Teresa Lehman, of Spring Township, accused the Bitner-Bechdel American Legion Post 623 of discrimination and emotional harm, claiming staff ignored federal disability protections when they forced her to leave an April 26 event after being told her dog, Izabella, was a legally recognized psychiatric service animal.

A member of the Women’s Auxiliary of American Legion Post 867 in Pleasant Gap, Lehman lives with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, a condition recognized as a disability under both state and federal law.

To help manage her disability–which, according to the lawsuit, “substantially impairs” her ability to perform major life activities–Lehman acquired a service animal at the recommendation of her psychiatrist.

According to the lawsuit, while attending the veterans’ organization’s outdoor Family Day in April, Legion Vice President Bill Bechdel informed Lehman’s husband that Izabella, his wife’s 12-pound Shih Tzu, was not allowed on the premises.

The suit alleges that even after being informed Izabella is a service dog, Bechdel responded that he did not care what kind of dog she was and told them to “get her out of here.”

Shortly thereafter, Post 623 President Steve Heverly allegedly also told Lehman she was not welcome at the event with her dog and ordered her to leave immediately. He also allegedly raised his voice and said he didn’t care that Izabella was a service animal.

Despite offering to show documentation of the dog’s certification, Heverly allegedly said that “he couldn’t care less and did not want to see the documentation.”

According to Lehman, Izabella was wearing her service animal vest at the time of the incident.

The lawsuit accuses the Bitner-Bechdel American Legion with violating Title III of the ADA, as well as negligence per se and negligent or reckless conduct.

Title III of the ADA prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in public accommodations, which includes certain businesses and nonprofit service providers. It requires that public accommodations comply with basic nondiscrimination standards, including prohibitions against exclusion, segregation and unequal treatment.

By excluding Lehman from the premises, denying her full and equal enjoyment of the event and failing to modify policies, practices or procedures to permit the use of a service animal, the lawsuit alleges the Legion violated federal law.

The complaint also cites Pennsylvania state law, which makes it a summary criminal offense for a representative of a public accommodation to refuse, withhold or deny access to a person using a service animal.

Because the statute is intended to protect the health and well-being of individuals with disabilities, the lawsuit states, “(the) defendant’s conduct was a direct and proximate cause of physical injury, emotional distress, mental anguish, pain, suffering, embarrassment, humiliation and inconvenience to the plaintiff.”

By failing to properly train staff, implement adequate policies and exercise due care, the lawsuit claims, the Legion caused an exacerbation of Lehman’s PTSD and additional emotional distress and anguish.

Lehman is seeking compensatory and punitive damages as well as rectification of the Legion’s policies and procedures. Her attorney, Thomas B. Anderson, of Bordas and Bordas Attorneys, PLLC, has requested a trial by jury.

Representatives of Legion Post 623 declined to comment.