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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
World
Erum Salam

How an alligator became an emotional support animal: ‘They said it was a midlife crisis’

A man sits in a chair holding a 5.5ft alligator to his chest like a baby.
Five years ago, Joseph Henney was depressed and lonely and in need of emotional support. Enter Wally, the pet alligator. Photograph: Facebook/Wallygator

Joseph Henney, 69, grew up on a farm in the same area of Dover, Pennsylvania he lives in now. From a young age, Henney was surrounded by a wide range of animals, such as cattle, coyotes, snakes and hogs, which makes owning a pet alligator perhaps the least surprising thing about him.

But Henney’s gator companion Wally is not an ordinary pet – he’s an official emotional support animal and one that is now somewhat famous after video of Henney and Wally walking together in Philadelphia’s Love Park went viral and triggered a slew of news headlines.

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