“So you’re choosing a dog over a child’s mental health?”: 34-year-old Karen tries to buy service dog from cousin that cost $20,000 to train for $300; when he refuses, she shows at up at his door the next day

Author image for Blake Seidel
Blake Seidel • Managing Editor & Brand Manager
Jul 12, 2025 9:00 AM EDT

Oh, Karen, she's back at it again! 

Welcome back, animal fam. There are just so many things wrong with this post. The fact that she confuses a trained service dog with an emotional support animal. The fact that she wants to buy the doggo from his legal owner for only $300, despite him being a $20,000 investment for all of his professional service training. The fact that she shows up at their house the next day, demanding they give her and her son the dog. It's just all levels of wrong that we didn't think were hoomanly pawssible.

Her motivation is good-natured - her son has anxiety, and she wants to get him an emotional support animal. She found out that her cousin inherited his brother's service dog, and then she demanded to buy said service pupper for $300. Let's not even get into the fact that a trained service dog and an emotional support animal are two different things. It just gets worse from there, so scroll down to find out how the story ends!

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  • 01

    Entitled mom demanded I give her my late brother’s service dog

    SERVICE DOG 'I told her the only waste here was her audacity?
    via FatCamera

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 02
    My brother passed away six months ago. He was a veteran, and his service dog Max was trained for PTSD, mobility support, and seizures. Max is 6, incredibly well-behaved, and still grieving.
    via Significant-Quote986
  • 03
    Since my brother passed, I've been caring for Max. I'm his legal successor according to my brother's will. Max is family now.
    via Significant-Quote986
  • 04
    Enter my cousin (34F), who I haven't spoken to in over a year. She messaged me out of nowhere saying, "I heard you have a service dog. You don't need that. My son has anxiety and could use a therapy dog."
    via Significant-Quote986

  • Service dogs are not therapy animals. They are two different things. Service dogs are trained to pawform a specific service, like alerting their owners of the beginning of a seizure. They are not the same as a calming golden retriever that lies on your lap and makes you feel better.

  • 05
    I explained that Max isn't just a "therapy dog." He's a trained service animal with years of specialized work and legally, I'm his handler now.
    via Significant-Quote986
  • 06
    She replied, "So you're choosing a dog over a child's mental health?" Then she offered me $300 for him. Three hundred. For a trained service dog who cost $20k+ to train and has been through h I and back with my brother.
    via Significant-Quote986
  • 07
    I said no. She showed up at my door the next day with her son. I didn't answer. She called me cruel. Said I was wasting Max's potential. I told her the only waste here was her audacity.
    via Significant-Quote986
  • 08
    RefrigeratorRare4463 He's not just a service dog he's all you have left of your brother, and that alone makes him priceless.
    via RefrigeratorRare4463
  • 09
    SERVICE DOG
    via 24K-Production

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 10
    Egodram If you haven't already, get him chipped. I have a bad feeling
    via Egodram

  • Let's not get all dramatic before anything happens…. oh, who are we kidding, we love the drama! No, but for real, get Max microchipped and make sure you have documentation that he's legally yours. And take lots of photos with him, mostly because he's cute, but also for legal reasons.

  • 11
    Careless-Image-885 Take lots of pictures of him. Get him microchipped immediately. Put up cameras around your property.
    via Careless-Image-885
  • 12
    Make sure your neighbors know that this woman is not allowed around your dog or on your property.
    via Careless-Image-885
  • 13
    SmokeyGreenEyes Anxiety... ya know what gives kids anxiety? Mothers like that.
    via SmokeyGreenEyes
  • 14
    amanda10271 Block her and if she shows up again call the police and have her trespassed.
    via amanda10271
  • 15
    PorkchopFunny Max was trained for PTSD, mobility support, and seizures. Her kid has anxiety. What does she think Max is going to do for that?
    via PorkchopFunny
  • 16
    Cheezburger Image 10527621888
    via Helena Lopes from Pexels

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 17
    ingrowntoenailer · 1d ago Tell her to keep her $300 and take him to a dr and get anxiety meds appropriate for her child.
    via ingrowntoenailer
  • 18
    TheClayDart She's not even my mom and she gives me anxiety
    via TheClayDart
  • 19
    Environmental_Rub256 1d ago He's not trained for that child. Max lost his charge and is grieving that loss. Max doesn't need or shouldn't be expected to become someone else's SD.
    via Environmental_Rub256
  • 20
    musingsofapathy If Max was trained as a service dog by an organization and provided to your brother, there is a chance that Max will legally belong to the service dog organization. This is done to prevent mistreatment of
    via musingsofapathy
  • 21
    animals and prevent their misuse. You should contact the organization and let them know of your brother's passing. They may decide to let you adopt the dog officially. I just don't want you surprised when they attempt to do a yearly check on Max and find out.
    via musingsofapathy
  • 22
    Appointment Mountain8 Your brother knew you and Max would need each other. The fact that she would use the emotion of her son to manipulate you further shows she is unworthy of Max. Sorry for the kid.
    via AppointmentMountain8
  • 23
    One_Report5269 Max isn't only a trained service dog. He's YOUR dog.
    via One_Report5269
  • 24
    Maleficentendscurse You need to somehow go permanent or contact with her, you might need to move but that's just a suggestion But you definitely should get a restraining order just in case
    via Maleficentendscurse
  • 25
    JustanOldBaby Boomer If the Entitled Idiot trespasses again, have the cops on speed dial.
    via JustanOldBabyBoomer
  • 26
    Sherlsnark Bravo, you handled that well. That takes a lot of nerve to not speak to anyone and show up a year later demanding a member of your family. May Max enjoy his retirement in peace and happiness. Updte me.
    via Sherlsnark

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refuse dogs service dogs mental health cousins animals karen children
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