A woman with autism says she suffered “severe prejudice” after being told her assistance dog might not be allowed to fly home with her from a family holiday.
Esther Gooch, 45, had been due to return home to Aberdeenshire from a trip to Italy earlier this month with her husband, their three children and cocker spaniel J.
But the family were split-up on April 13 during a stop-over in Vienna when Mrs Gooch was told by staff at Heathrow there was confusion regarding the assistance dog regulatory body J was registered with.
Her family were able to continue home, but Mrs Gooch said she had to remain to find out if she would be able to return with her supportive spaniel.
When she finally arrived in Heathrow, she said she became distressed and had suffered from two panic attacks before matters were resolved.
Mrs Gooch said: “By this point I was incredibly distressed and finding it difficult to communicate.
“I was very emotional and tearful.
“On my return to the UK I was met by a person who checked J’s microchip and her evident concern over the validity of the tapeworm vaccination triggered the first of two severe panic attacks I had at Heathrow after landing.
“The vaccination was approved and she then called an ambulance as I was initially unable to move my hands and legs after the first panic attack.
“With concentration, I was able to partially recover and exit through passport control.”
Mrs Gooch, however, then suffered a second panic attack.
A spokesman for the City of London Corporation, which manages the Heathrow Animal Reception Centre said: “Once we were made aware of the full details of Mrs Gooch’s situation, we were able to help her with bringing her assistance dog back to the UK as quickly as possible.
“Under law, assistance dogs that are not trained by an organisation accredited by Assistance Dogs International or the International Guide Dog Federation are currently assessed on a case by case basis.
“We also have a legal duty to ensure that animals and pets entering the UK are free from disease, have had necessary treatment checks and that they comply with all EU and UK regulations relating to animal movement.”
Mrs Gooch has now written to West Aberdeenshire and Kincardineshire MP Andrew Bowie to appeal for his assistance, claiming she was subjected to “severe prejudice”.
Mr Bowie said his office has been in contact with Heathrow Airport regarding the issue.