Sister Refuses to Allow Brother’s Emotional Support Goat in the House, Even Though He Says It’s ‘Basically a Dog’

A 30-year-old woman finds herself seeking support on Reddit after her brother asked her to allow his emotional support goat, Clover, to stay at her home — and she refused his request. 

The woman, who owns a small suburban home, wouldn’t let her 28-year-old brother and his diapered goat stay with her while his apartment is undergoing renovations. 

“I have a small house, a cat, and a life that does not include a goat in diapers in my living room,” she writes on Reddit. “At first, I thought he was joking. I laughed and said, ‘Mike, you’re not serious.’ He was very serious.”

Her brother Mike claims that Clover is “basically a dog” and is house-trained, only occasionally chewing furniture. He insists the goat helps with his anxiety because “her presence is grounding.” 

The situation began escalating when Mike accused his sister of being “unsupportive and anti-mental health,” claiming she doesn’t understand “real emotional struggles.” Additionally, their parents have sided with Mike, saying their daughter is being unreasonable because she wouldn’t “make a small sacrifice for family.” 

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

When the poster asked her parents to house Mike and Clover instead, they declined, stating “they don’t have space,” telling their daughter to “stop being so dramatic.” 

Following the incident, the poster says her brother began “posting passive aggressive stuff on social media about how ‘family should be there for you in times of needs.’ ” She did say she feels bad, as Mike doesn’t have anywhere else to go, but she refuses to house Clover. 

Many Reddit users have sided with the poster, saying it’s not her responsibility. “That goat might be Mike’s support animal, but you’re not,” writes one Redditor. “Mike needs to figure this out, and it’s not your job to let your life be overrun by his choices.” 

Others offered suggestions for both Mike and the poster that would benefit everyone in the family. “I think his best option is to look into boarding the goat for 2 weeks,” said one Redditor. 

“Offer your family a compromise,” wrote a third. “Mom or dad can stay with you for 2 weeks. This will free up enough space in their home to take Mike and Clover in. Problem solved… This way they can’t call you the bad guy who isn’t there for family in [a] time of need and you put the goat in your parent’s corner.”