Woman gets prescribed cardiac-alert dog for quality of life, only to be shunned from sisters' lives because they don't accept her on-the-clock canine: ‘I'm invited places only if I don’t bring him’

Author image for Blake Seidel
Blake Seidel • Managing Editor & Brand Manager
Nov 15, 2025 9:00 AM EST

Imagine having an unpredictable health issue that can be easily solved with the help of a service dog. Your world suddenly becomes lighter because you no longer have to fear the unknown. To you, it's a necessity, but then imagine your family just doesn't get it. Not only do they not get it, they refuse to accept it. For seemingly no reason at all, the woman below has been shunned from her sisters' lives because of her on-the-clock canine. She isn't allowed in their houses with her SD, and she's only invited places if she doesn't bring him. This has stopped her from seeing her nieces and nephews, and it's starting to take its emotional toll on her.

This all circles back to the fundamental understanding that service dogs aren't pets. They won't jump on you when you walk in the door or tear up your couch. They're specifically trained to work and provide medical assistance, unlike your friend's annoying chihuahua, which barks nonstop at anything that moves.

We could never do this to anyone, let alone our sister. This is something we will never understand, and we feel bad for this woman. She's being forced to choose between something that makes her feel safe and her family. Ideally, your family should be a part of the "make you feel safe" part, but not every family is ideal, right?

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  • 01

    My family won’t accept my service dog

    SERVICE DOG including 'You don't need him when we are around'
    via andresr

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 02
    I've had my service dog for 6 months. He was trained by a company. He has changed my life for the better in so many ways.
    via lookyloo4201983
  • 03
    I'm beyond blessed to have been chosen to be his partner. However my sisters will not accept him as a part of me.
    via lookyloo4201983
  • 04
    He is not allowed in their homes, around their children, and they will not come when invited if he's there.
    via lookyloo4201983
  • 05
    They will tell me I'm invited places only if I DONT BRING HIM. It's been 6 months of this.
    via lookyloo4201983
  • 06
    Dog on asphalt including NO DOGS ALLOWED
    via Starcevic

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 07
    I haven't been able to see most of my nieces and nephews because of this and it's starting to take a huge toll on my mental health especially heading into the holidays.
    via lookyloo4201983

  • Families aren't perfect - each one comes with its own issues and quirks. We love our family, and they're certainly not anything like this, but we also have had to set certain boundaries with them. It's a part of growing up and realizing that your parents don't always know what they're doing.

  • 08
    I don't know what to do. I have a child of my own (a 5 yr old) so it's not like he's not around children daily.
    via lookyloo4201983
  • 09
    I don't know how to make them understand. Sorry I'm dumping here I just don't understand the disconnect and how to make them see that my boy is a part of me.
    via lookyloo4201983
  • 10
    acocktailofmagnets My family is the same way about my SD. I tried to see things from their perspective many times, but I can't understand why they wouldn't want me to have an extra layer of safety when it comes to my medical conditions.
    via acocktailofmagnets
  • 11
    Woman holding service dog including SERVICE DOG
    via LPETTET

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 12
    They say "you don't need him when we are around, we can watch out for you," as if they have hundreds of hours of training for my specific case, as if their human noses can detect changes in my scent which my dog can alert me to about
    via acocktailofmagnets

  • If her family could smell when she was about to have an issue, we would accept their proposal. But they can't, because they're not dogs specifically trained to alert when they notice something is different. Some people are just so ignorant.

  • 13
    upcoming episodes. It's truly disrespectful of them, and it doesn't hurt any less with time. I'm sorry. I don't have any advice, because my family is the same way. When we meet for family trips, I have to get my own lodging, even, because they
    via acocktailofmagnets
  • 14
    don't want to be around my dog that badly. But - my friends, who are my chosen family, adore my SD, are the ones who call ahead to make accommodations for me if they invite me to something, and my SD was even in one of their weddings, because I was a
    via acocktailofmagnets
  • 15
    bridesmaid and my friend included him when she asked me to be one. There will be people who accept ALL of you - including your SD - and celebrate you both! I'm sorry that isn't your family. It hurts. I know it does.
    via acocktailofmagnets
  • 16
    Illustrious_One_4092 Service Dog Sorry you're having trouble with them not accepting your SD. Do you have coping mechanisms that you can use if you need to go somewhere without the dog? Maybe you could use those when visiting family.
    via Illustrious_One_4092
  • 17
    Unfortunately they do reserve the right to refuse your dog on their property because it's not public access.
    via Illustrious_One_4092
  • 18
    MaplePaws My eyes hav... The reality is that a service dog does in fact have many negatives, including that it may destroy various relationships. You are valid in having a boundary that you won't see them with your dog but they are
    via MaplePaws
  • 19
    also valid for having a boundary of not seeing you with your dog, if that is the case then unfortunately that relationship is in the past because neither party is entitled to changing the boundaries of the other.
    via MaplePaws
  • 20
    Dismal-Guard-698 That's really sad really is my family is the same way almost than just a different category. Not one of them not have learned any ASL make any effort whatsoever to help create a communication bridge. Because
    via Dismal-Guard-698
  • 21
    I'm deaf, healthy people just don't get it. Don't let it get you down man like my daddy always said don't ever listen to what people say. If you really wanna know how someone feels about you watch their actions. I'm 68. He was right.
    via Dismal-Guard-698
  • 22
    iloveanimals90 Yeah I have not Clue why they're acting like that unless theydon't understand what the service dog means. Unfortunately they can do that for their homes but I don't think they realize that a service dog is different from a pet dog and that he wouldn't attack anyone. My guess is that they either don't understand what you need him or maybe it's something that else that they aren't telling you the truth.
    via iloveanimals90
  • 23
    Gloomy_Error_5054 Apparently they don't value your position in the family unit. You need to decide which is better for your mental health when it comes to visiting family.
    via Gloomy_Error_5054
  • 24
    1rAudiChik That's complete garbage and literally made me nauseous. If it were me, I would not accept my families invitations, moving forward. They seem to be blind to the fact that your amazing, healing service dog could be put in a different room, put in a
    via 1rAudiChik
  • 25
    crate, put outside (weather permitting) or remain on a leash while in your ignorant, selfish sister's houses. Sorry for being so harsh but I'm really mad they are treating you, their SISTER, this way. I also deal with mental health issues and cannot imagine why anyone, especially family, wouldn't want you to have every single resource available.
    via 1rAudiChik
  • 26
    I'm so sorry that your family is treating you this way when you're doing everything in your power to be well. Maybe they will realize how gross their behavior is and how much it's affecting you if you share some of the feedback you've received on your post.
    via 1rAudiChik
  • 27
    Sending you all of my comfort, good days, love, hugs and happy moments! And of course, sending pets, scritch scratches, fetches and treats to your beautiful service dog!
    via 1rAudiChik

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family drama dogs working dogs sisters invited canine service dogs animals
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