A family from York, Pennsylvania (USA), has adopted an alligator as a pet specializing in emotional support and has gone viral on the internet.
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WallyGator became the only alligator in the United States to obtain certification as an emotional support animal, a title usually offered only to dogs, cats, and pigs.
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Its dedicated owner, Joie Henney, has turned Wally into a local celebrity by taking him to restaurants, shops, and malls, attracting a crowd of admirers wherever they go.
People line up to take photos with Wally, and Joie seizes every opportunity to educate people about alligators and help remove the stigma around them.
Joie has always had a love for reptiles and other animals. He has an entire room in his house dedicated to keeping reptiles, although Wally has control of the house. The alligator can even sit on the sofa, and Joie says he enjoys watching TV.
Wally entered his life six years ago at a critical time. “I lost three family members and four long-time friends in two weeks. Depression hit me hard. I really needed emotional support, and a friend of mine rescues alligators,” he told the Inspire More website.
The baby alligator had been removed from a Florida pond. Since alligators removed by animal control are considered “nuisances,” Wally could not be released into the wild.
After Joie’s friend suggested he adopt Wally, the two formed a close bond immediately. But Joie soon discovered that Wally is not a typical alligator.
“Wally has been very different from any alligator I’ve dealt with in the last 30 years. He doesn’t show anger. He doesn’t show aggression. He hasn’t since the day he was captured. We’ve never been able to understand why.”
Joie says he sleeps with the alligator and trusts him implicitly. He has never bitten anyone and is as docile as any other pet.
When Joie began cancer treatments, he leaned on Wally for support. That’s when a friend suggested he register the alligator as an emotional support animal. “I thought it was crazy,” he admitted.
Regardless, Joie applied and registered Wally as an emotional support animal with a card. After a trip to Philadelphia, where videos of Wally strolling on a leash began to go viral on the internet, Joie’s friend, Mary Johnson, started a fundraiser to help with his cancer treatment.
In the meantime, he will continue to love Wally and find joy in sharing his unusual source of support with others. “He’s literally licensed as an emotional support animal. He’s helped thousands of people with emotional support. Wally makes life much better.”
Photos and video: Instagram @wallygatornjoie
