Wally Truly is an Emotional Support Alligator

 

by Pa Rock

Citizen Journalist

When I first heard the story of the man who had been denied entry to a Philadelphia Phillies baseball game because he brought along his emotional support alligator, I assumed it was just some stunt by a publicity-seeking knucklehead who was trying to capture his fifteen minutes of fame. 

Joie Henney is a woodcrafter and part-time reptile rescuer who lives in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.  Several years ago a friend in Florida gave Henney a one-year-old (20-inches-long) alligator that had been captured in a Florida lagoon and needed a good home.  Henney and his gator, whose name is Wally, have been together ever since.  Wally is now eight-years-old, six-feet long, and weighs fifty-five pounds.

Henney said that Wally is unique in the fact that he does not bite, nor does he ever exhibit anger or aggression - and most other alligators will get angry and snappish.   Several years ago after Joie Henney's doctor noticed the close relationship that Henney had with his alligator, he suggested that the reptile rescuer get the creature certified by the state of Pennsylvania as an emotional support animal, which he has done.

Wally has a huge social media following on Instagram and TikTok, and people rush to pet and hug him whenever he and his human go for walks in the community.  Wally wears a harness and is led by a leash when they are on these outings, but he is not muzzled.  Henney said that Wally loves to be held, hugged, and is especially partial to having his chin rubbed.

The incident at the ballpark in Philadelphis two weeks ago sounds as though it may have been due to a misunderstanding.  Henney says that Wally never goes anyplace where he hasn't been invited, and that members of the Phillies team had invited Wally to come to the game and meet the players.  Unfortunately they arrived late, after the team had already taken to the field.  A friend then tried to get them tickets to go in and watch the game, and that was when they were turned away.  Henney said they left quietly without any argument.  They have been told that why will be invited back again.

Is Wally truly an "emotional support animal" for his human?  Henney put it this way:

"He's just lovable.  He sleeps with me, steals my pillows, steals my blankets.  He's just awesome."

Wally's human also said:

"He means a lot to me. Actually, he means as much to me as my children."