Am I Wrong for Refusing to Attend My Nieces Pet Therapy Sessions?

Some families treat “support” like a group project, and if you miss a meeting, you’re suddenly the villain. This one started with a simple request from a sister, then exploded into a full-blown family argument over a pet therapy session and one woman’s very firm “no.”

OP, a 33-year-old aunt, has a niece named Lily who deals with anxiety and depression. Lily’s therapy pet has become a big comfort for her, and her mom, OP’s sister, is all-in. The complication? OP was asked to show up to a session as emotional support, and OP refused, saying she doesn’t believe in pet therapy and thinks it’s a waste of time and resources.

Now the family is pressuring OP to apologize, and OP is stuck wondering if she was too harsh or if she just set a boundary.

Original Post

So I'm (33F), and my niece, let's call her Lily, has a therapy pet. For background, Lily has been struggling with anxiety and depression.

Her therapist suggested pet therapy as a way to help her cope. My sister, Lily's mom, has been really supportive and invested in Lily's well-being.

Lily adores her pet and claims it's been a huge comfort to her. Here's the issue: my sister asked if I could accompany Lily to a pet therapy session as emotional support for her.

I declined, stating that I don't believe in pet therapy and think it's a waste of time and resources. I also mentioned that I have better things to do with my time.

This caused a huge argument between my sister and me. She feels that I'm being unsupportive and dismissive of something that has genuinely helped Lily.

My stance is that I shouldn't have to participate in something I fundamentally disagree with. Things have been tense, and my family thinks I should apologize for my harsh words.

So AITA?

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This also echoes the AITA where someone refused to take their unruly niece on a family trip.

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OP shut the door fast when her sister asked her to accompany Lily to a pet therapy session, and the “emotional support” request turned into an instant fight.

When OP added that she thinks pet therapy is a waste of time and resources, her sister’s supportive attitude flipped into “you’re being dismissive” mode.

Lily’s claimed comfort from the pet became the battlefield, because OP’s disbelief and OP’s “better things to do” comment did not land well at all.

Now with things tense and the family asking for an apology, OP has to decide whether refusing to attend was a boundary or just cruelty in disguise.

What would you do in this situation? Share your opinion in the comments.

If OP apologizes just to keep the peace, she might teach the family that “no” only counts when everyone agrees.

Before you judge, see the AITA about splitting grooming costs for their family pet.