Should I Let My Dad Use My Therapy Cat for His Stress?

A 27-year-old woman refused to let her dad turn her therapy cat into his personal stress tool, and honestly, the audacity is kind of impressive. She calls her cat Luna, and Luna is the one thing that helps her manage anxiety and PTSD when her brain starts spiraling.

Now dad, 57, just lost his job and is suddenly overwhelmed, which would be heartbreaking if he wasn’t also dismissive of her mental health in the past. He wants to interact with Luna “for his stress,” like Luna is a household appliance, not a living creature who is trained for one specific person and not strangers.

And the real twist is, OP is stuck living with him, trying to set boundaries while worrying Luna will get stressed too.

Original Post

So I'm (27F) currently living with my dad (57M) due to some recent family circumstances. I have a therapy cat named Luna, who helps me immensely with my anxiety and PTSD.

Luna is trained to provide emotional support specifically for me. My dad has been going through a tough time recently after losing his job, and he thinks interacting with Luna will help reduce his stress.

However, I'm concerned about the impact on Luna. She's not used to strangers, and I worry it might overwhelm or stress her out if my dad interacts with her too much.

For background, my dad has always been somewhat dismissive of my mental health struggles, but now he suddenly wants to use Luna for his own benefit without considering her needs. I've tried explaining this to him, but he insists that spending time with Luna will help him feel better.

I don't want to be selfish, but I also want to prioritize Luna's well-being. So, would I be the jerk if I continue to refuse my dad's request to use Luna as his therapy cat?

The Weight of Emotional Support

This situation really underscores the complexities of emotional support animals and the expectations surrounding them. OP’s dad is dealing with significant stress after losing his job, a life event that many can empathize with. However, asking to borrow Luna, a therapy cat specifically trained for OP’s anxiety and PTSD, raises questions about boundaries and the importance of maintaining Luna’s role in her owner’s life.

The tension here is palpable. OP’s commitment to her mental health is at stake, and the idea of prioritizing her dad’s needs over her own well-being—and that of Luna—creates a moral gray area. It’s difficult to say where the line is drawn between familial obligation and self-care.

OP’s dad lost his job and immediately decided Luna was the fix, even though he’s been brushing off OP’s struggles for years.

Comment from u/JadedTeaLover44

NTA - Your dad needs to respect your boundaries and Luna's well-being. It's not fair for him to impose on Luna's role as your therapy cat.

Comment from u/SunnySideUp83

NTA - Luna is not a community emotional support animal. Your dad should find his own ways to cope instead of potentially stressing out Luna.

Comment from u/MountainHiker99

NTA - Pets have boundaries too. Your dad should understand and find alternative ways to manage his stress.

Comment from u/LunaLover2021

NTA - Luna's well-being should come first. It's great that you're standing up for her needs even in a difficult situation with your dad.

Meanwhile, Luna is used to helping OP specifically, so dad showing up as an unfamiliar face feels like a gamble with her comfort.

Comment from u/CookieCrumbs12

NTA - Your dad should respect that Luna is your therapy cat, not a general stress-reliever for anyone. Boundaries are important for both you and Luna.

It’s a lot like the AITA fight where someone picked their cat over their partner’s demands.

Comment from u/GamingGeek76

NTA - Your dad's sudden interest in Luna for his own benefit seems selfish. It's understandable that you want to protect Luna's emotional well-being.

Comment from u/NatureLover21

NTA - It's crucial to prioritize Luna's training and well-being. Your dad should find other ways to cope with stress that don't involve your therapy cat.

OP tried explaining the boundary, but dad doubled down and insisted that “spending time with Luna” would magically solve his stress.

Comment from u/SnowboarderChick7

NTA - Luna's role as a therapy cat is specifically for you, and your dad should understand and respect that boundary. Your concerns are valid.

Comment from u/PizzaLover55

NTA - Pets have their boundaries too, and it's important to prioritize Luna's needs. Your dad should find his own coping mechanisms.

Comment from u/AdventureSeeker22

NTA - Luna's role as your therapy cat is precious and should be respected. Your dad should find other ways to manage his stress without involving Luna.

Now OP has to choose between being “nice” to her dad and protecting Luna from becoming an accidental stress sponge.

What do you think about this situation? Let us know in the comments.

The Community's Divided Opinion

This Reddit thread has sparked quite a debate, primarily because it touches on the universal theme of balancing family needs with personal boundaries. Many commenters sided with OP, emphasizing the necessity of prioritizing mental health, especially when it involves a trained support animal. Others, however, argued that OP’s dad deserves compassion during his tough time.

This division reflects a broader societal issue: how do we navigate familial expectations when they conflict with our individual needs? The emotional stakes are high for both OP and her dad. It’s a reminder that sometimes, expressing love and support can come with conflicting costs.

Where Things Stand

This story highlights the delicate balance between being there for family and ensuring one's own mental health isn't compromised. It poses an important question: how should we navigate situations where our loved ones' needs clash with our own? Readers, what do you think? Should OP have made an exception for her dad, or is her refusal justified?

What It Comes Down To

In this situation, the daughter’s hesitance to let her father use Luna, her therapy cat, stems from a deep-seated concern for both her own mental health and Luna's well-being. Given her father’s dismissive attitude towards her past struggles, it’s understandable that she questions his sudden interest in Luna as a mere convenience during his own stress. This conflict reveals not only the complexities of family dynamics but also highlights the critical importance of maintaining boundaries, especially when it involves a trained emotional support animal. The emotional stakes are high, as both parties navigate their needs amidst a backdrop of familial obligation and self-care.

He might be stressed, but Luna is not his emotional lifeline to borrow.

Before you decide, read the mom who denied her daughter’s plea to keep a stray cat.