That's when I would have taken the dog elsewhere for a second opinion. A good vet respects the bonds between animals and their masters. Best vet I never had was when I lived in Louisiana. I had a shepherd I rescued after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. In the spring of 2017 he had a stroke and his right side was paralyzed and he couldn't even pick his head up to eat or drink. I saw the doc get misty eyed when we decided to put him to sleep and I was cradling my dog's head when the deed was done. The doc let me be alone with him in the room as long as I wanted after that.
A good old school country vet in the best tradition of James Harriet.
Our family dog died at the age of 17. He was never sick day of his life and just didn’t wake up one morning. My Dad took him to the local animal hospital/cemetery to be buried and insisted on being with him right up until he was interred. He was worried that they would do an autopsy because he had lived such a long and healthy life. He’s buried next to Nixon’s dog, Checkers.
“She was told that the shelter’s policy does not allow pet owners to stay in the room with their pets as they are put down”
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You hit the nail on the head, so to speak/type.
If I read the article correctly, she was even told by the pet rescue organization that if she was not going to stay in the room when it was put down it might be adopted back by them and she would NOT be allowed to get the puppy back.
This was when she was in the process of adopting the puppy.
She didn’t follow through on what they told her could be an issue.
Emotionally she’s hooked and maybe her pride is really damaged.
That said, I wouldn’t let her adopt the dog.