Its terrible for all involved but I hope it doesn't stop you Mum from taking it further. Yes the young girl will feel terrible about it BUT its not her on a personal level at fault. The company has failed to provide her with proper training it would seem. The fact that another animal was at risk while your mother was there... Are they understaffed do you think, was the person attending to your Mother also meant to be responsible for the other animal on the table? It would explain what the girl was doing while her dog was left alone. If she was dealing with a customer or phone. None justify the situation but could explain why she left the room.

Makes me so cranky...