Dog doubts sparked mum’s panic attacks

Woman tells of ‘severe prejudice’ over flight confusion

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 to Aberdeenshire from 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. While her family were able to continue, Mrs Gooch had to remain behind to discover whether she would be able to return with her supportive spaniel.

When she finally arrived in Heathrow, she said she became distressed and suffered two panic attacks.

In addition to Asperger’s syndrome, Mrs Gooch has also been diagnosed with major depressive disorder and relies on J’s support to “lead as fully inclusive a life as possible”.

She had been able to fly out to Italy via Manchester Airport with J without any difficulty and said she had not experienced trouble flying with him previously.

Mrs Gooch said: “By this point I was incredibly distressed and finding it difficult to communicate.

“We have a duty to ensure animals are free from disease”

“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. Though the vaccination was approved, she had to call an ambulance as I was initially unable to move my hands and legs after the first panic attack.”

Mrs Gooch was able to partially recover and exit through passport control, though she 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.

“Under law, assistance dogs not trained by an organisation accredited by Assistance Dogs International or the International Guide Dog Federation are assessed on a case by case basis. We also have a duty to ensure animals and pets entering the UK are free from disease, have had treatment checks and comply with all EU and UK regulations.”

Mrs Gooch has written to MP Andrew Bowie for help, claiming she was subjected to “severe prejudice”. Mr Bowie said his office has been in contact with Heathrow.

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Photograph by Kami Thomson HELPER: J the assistance dog.