Mike Snider USA TODAY You've probably heard about some unusual emotional support animals including a peacock and a squirrel. Ive been handling gators for years, and Ive learned to read them, he said. WiscNews Jobs 73 Fair spotlight Meet Wally, an emotional support alligator that mingles among people By Zoe Sottile and Sara Smart, CNN Aug 30, 2022 Updated Oct 4, 2022 0 Bystanders had an up-close and personal encounter with an alligator in Philadelphia's Love Park. I mean, there are ships, there are trains. Henneys unusual relationship with WallyGator started in 2015, he said, when a friend called from Florida and asked if he could take in a few gators that had been found in a pond in Orlando.Check out Wally here: https://www.tiktok.com/@wallythealligator?lang=en* Need help with Youtube keywords? And one as large as WallyBob can even go as long as a year without eating. My doctor wanted to give me anti-depression medicine and I wouldnt take it. Henney said he received approval from his doctor to use WallyGator as his emotional support animal after not wanting to go on medication for depression. This story has been shared 110,541 times. People come from all over the world to get a hug., To Henneys surprise, his doctor was happy to help him register Wally as an emotional support animal a designation he will have to request for renewal each year. They breathe air and generally live in freshwater, but their skin does not need to stay wet for survival. We found that he does sense peoples emotions, and he tries to comfort them. I dont push him on to people. But so far, there has been no problem with the astonishing situation. An alligator is the most feared animal in the world, Henney recalled. They should never be handled by people who arent trained, said Matt Evans, assistant curator of herpetology at the Smithsonians National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute in D.C. If you are interested in working with alligators, volunteer at your local zoo or nature center or get involved with citizen science, Evans said. In 2021, those numbers stayed roughly the same. He felt comfortable enough around WallyGator, though, not to keep him in an enclosure, he said. Henney said WallyGator also helped him emotionally as he endured a recent diagnosis of prostate cancer and weeks of radiation treatments. This story has been shared 131,169 times. So its not unreasonable to assume theyll make a new home in the neighborhoods retention pond. But it wasnt a wild animal, a YouTube prank, or a Lacoste publicity stunt. My doctor knew about Wally and figured it works, so why not?. He wouldnt eat live rats, and he really showed a love for cheesy popcorn, Henney said. If you dont know what youre doing, you will get bit.. "He works with a lot of special needs adults and children. He rode a bus once, Henney said. After a while, he sent two of the gators to reptile refuges in New York and New Jersey, he said. The Chinese alligator is endangered and lives only in the valley of the Yangtze River. The jaw pressure from an alligators bite force is incredibly strong, and their powerful tails can whip you, said Raul Diaz, a herpetologist and evolutionary development biologist who teaches at California State University at Los Angeles. Here you can see him cuddling up the little gator like he was a regular dog! I said, Are you off your rocker? I bonded with him and was committed to caring for him, Henney said. But he went home that day with a letter from the doctor, stating that WallyGator qualified as an emotional support animal. It is worth noting that Wallys owner, Joie Henney, runs several social media accounts which documents his loving relationship with the alligator. But what about an alligator? But he decided to keep WallyGator, who was 14 months at the time. Have a story for Inspired Life? He explained to his doctor that, [Wally] does things alligators do not do.. Wally The Alligator Just Wants To Cuddle With You. Wally is famously the emotional support animal of York, Pennsylvania resident Joie Henney. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. I saw it last year this time of the year and the year before that it was here during COVID when everything was shut down. "I'd lay on the couch, and I'd wake up and he'd be laying on my head," Henney said. "You fool around [with their head], their instinct is to grab you. (Courtesy of Joie Henney) 9 min Joseph Henney's emotional support. That was when he and his unusual pet really bonded. The pictures and videos of Wally the alligator have gone viral on social media. We were like, at least there's something to do, we'll go see the gator, said Sheats. So I went back in a month for another evaluation with my doctor. ), I said, Doc, youve lost your marbles.. To Live Stream Service Click HereDeacon Wolfgang Walter Kunath, 82, of Hudson Oaks, Texas, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 16, 2023, surrounded by family.Wally was born on August 3, 1940, in Dozens of neighbors watched WallyBob slowly eating a turtle which sounds like a tough meal to swallow, but alligators have very acidic stomachs to break down things like bones and turtle shells. Im always careful, but I felt it was fine to let [WallyGator] roam free in the house.. "I'll get lonely and stuff like that and he seems to sense that stuff and he'll come up and he'll give me a hug," Henney said, adding that Wally "makes me feel loved.". The story details how Henney had Wally successfully registered as an emotional support animal to help treat his depression, accelerated by the loss of three close friends in a short span of time, without the use of medication. Its not every day that you see an alligator on a leash.. Video shows a girl walking an alligator on a leash in Philadelphia. This page is all about wally the emotional support alligator. Henney started bringing Wally everywhere, from the doctor's office to the drive-thru. However, people of Philadelphia spotted a rather unusual pet recently. If the alligators are hungry enough, they can eat and eat carrion. As Henney told The Inquirer in 2019, his doctor at one point wanted to put him on depression medication following the death of three friends, but Wally seemed to fill the void and, ultimately, the physician approved of Wallys role as an emotional support animal. The story of how the pair came together is a remarkable one. Use of the CNN name and/or logo on or as part of NEWS18.com does not derogate from the intellectual property rights of Cable News Network in respect of them. He doesnt bite, he said. He tries to comfort people and is famous for his hugs. He has been known to dress him in a tuxedo and sunglasses, and sometimes even a hat. Hilary slams Southern California with record rainfall as storm wreaks havoc, Trump's bond set at $200,000 in Fulton County election case, Biden in Maui amid criticism of White House response to Lahaina wildfire, Tony Stewart Racing driver Ashlea Albertson dies in highway crash, What to know about new COVID variants EG.5, FL.1.5.1 and BA.2.86 now spreading, Flood-ravaged Vermont waits for action from a gridlocked Congress, Flesh-eating bacterial infection has killed 8 in U.S. this year, Saudi border guards allegedly killed hundreds of Ethiopian migrants, Store owner shot dead by suspect who make remarks about Pride flag, Emotional support alligator helps man with deep depression, Tropical storm hits California with record rain, Trader Joe's crackers possibly tainted with metal, Store owner who displayed pride flag killed, Bus driver shortage closes schools in Kentucky. He hasnt since the day he was caught. Dog paralyzed in hit-and-run was adopted, then learned to wag his tail, At age 114, heres her advice: Speak your mind and dont hold your tongue. Wally has become a TikTok sensation - and he's definitely not your typical alligator. In the pictures, Wally can be seen greeting visitors and splashing in the water sprayed by the fountain. If WallyGator wins Americas Favorite Pet Animal Kingdom, he will receive a $10,000 prize anda two-page spreadin InTouch Magazine. By browsing this site, we may share your information with our social media partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy. They sleep in the same bed. Hes just loveable. They hu. ", Henney doesn't recommend finding an alligator of your own, as most won't be so sweet or cuddly. Coexisting with the America by Ben Schachtman, 2023 254 North Front Street, Suite 300, Wilmington, NC 28401 | 910.343.1640, News Classical Although it's catchy theme song describes it as a "swingin' alligator of the swamp," it's home is in the city zoo. They fell in love. Creature comforts: has the US's emotional support animal epidemic gone too far? Due to their strong connection, Henney said his depression has dramatically improved. Five years ago, Henney was depressed and lonely after some of his closest friends and family members died around the same time. Henney has cautiously handled alligators for years, and he said he noticed from the first day that WallyGator was different. Typically, though, from November through April, alligators do not eat anything at all. He senses [peoples] emotions and gives hugs to try to cheer people up, WallyGators owner continued. The New Hanover County Sheriffs Office did confirm that a North Carolina wildlife enforcement officer showed up on scene, assessed the situation, and decided the alligator posed no current threat to the community. Netizens have marvelled at the pictures of the alligator who can be seen wandering around in the famous Love Park. Wildlife experts agree: Alligators generally dont make good pets, and theyre illegal to own in many states. The short starts off with a group of people protesting to release Wally Gator out of the zoo he resides at. At night he likes to climb into my bed and steal my covers and pillow, his owner wrote. The Walt Disney Co. is the parent company of this ABC station. WallyGator is cool to the touch, but has the most relaxed personality Ive ever seen, said Hannah Tedesco, a life-enrichment leader at the center. (modern). They are, after all, an animal that has not changed since the time of the dinosaurs. Yet another alligator has reportedly been sighted near a western Pennsylvania river, but this one is eluding capture. Mr Henney adopted Wally and brought him home to Philadelphia, where it is legal to . We can drive. All rights reserved (About Us). Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Elizabeth Sheats was one of many neighbors who stopped by to watch the alligator. Since it's illegal in Florida to relocate alligators to another spot in the wild, Henney agreed to take him in. 108.5K Followers. 00:49 - Source: CNN Trending Now 16. However, it is illegal to release them into the wild, Penn Live wrote in August 2021 as the outlet reported that 25 alligators were found in the state over roughly 21 years since 2000. A sizeable Alligator known as WallyBob, next to the Forest Hills Elementary School. He is usually called to rescue alligators when people take in cute baby gators as pets but they inevitably turn into large animals that can be difficult to handle, he said. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. I lost three family members and four lifelong friends in two weeks. But with the right education, Kent is convinced that people can respect alligators' presence in their neighborhoods. After Saturdays sighting of WallyBob, Kent said because of his size, hes likely about 40 years old. And in July, two alligators killed an 80-year-old woman after she fell into a pond at a golf course in the state. But he said his bond with Wally is "very special." "He is my emotional support. But in Philly, we have them in our parks. He sleeps with me, steals my pillows, steals my blankets. Stealing the covers became a favorite pastime, along with curling up together and watching Gator Boys on TV. Copyright 2023 WLS-TV. The mating season has just ended (which runs from May to June) and now alligators are into their nesting season, which typically starts in mid-July and goes until September. He said he was surprised when WallyGator, then 20 inches long, didnt try to bite him when he held him or fed him chicken legs and dead rats. Importance of school bus safety stressed at NC demonstration, RDU to rollout new parking system by spring 2024, Baby dies after pregnant woman shot in stomach: Police. Hes a very special gator, but I wouldnt recommend that anyone get one, he said. Males, in particular, also travel longer distances to find potential mates. Thats very important with an alligator.. When they get to three feet, nobody wants them, Henney said. WallyGator visit for a birthday.#wallytheemotionalsupportalligat#WallyGatorESA #wallygatore. In 2019, Joie Henney who is reportedly one of WallyGators owners told Philly.com that he received approval from his doctor to use WallyGator as an emotional support animal after Henney didnt want to go on medication for depression. All rights reserved. It isnt common for people to want alligators as pets, though it does happen more than most people realize, he said. CNN name, logo and all associated elements and 2023 Cable News Network LP, LLLP. A Philadelphia man took his emotional support alligator, Wally, to a local park where bystanders took photos and even picked up the animal to pet him. Henney now introduces students in schools and kids in camps to Wally, educating them about reptiles. If Wally looks familiar, he was the inspiration for the design of 'Alligator Loki' on Disney+. Henney further said that the alligator was removed from a lagoon in Florida. All Rights Reserved. She looks as though she's underage so she's remaining unnamed. He said his leathery roomie showed affection by staying close to him and being docile. PennLive has previously reported on WallyGator's hug-giving capabilities: A 2021 article described how the emotional support reptile has been going around putting smiles on people's faces after. In 2017, the Wildlife Resources Commission started a tagging and recapturing program with the states alligators so that they can measure their growth rates, note any injuries, and can follow their movements through GPS tracking. His emotional support animal is an alligator. And he has a social media following particularly on TikTok, where the WallytheAlligator account has racked up more than 718,000 likes at 71,000 followers. I wouldnt want to startle anyone.. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Dozens of other animals are in the running, but the first voting round will narrow thetop 20 petson Sept. 1, at 7 p.m. PDT, according to the contests website, which has a live countdown. So the bottom line for Kent, if the alligator is not posing a threat to someone or itself, leave it in its environment. She hired him as a caregiver for her family. Due to Wallys amicable personality, Henney got the alligator licensed as an emotional support animal. It didnt take long, he said, before WallyGator began to follow him around the house like a curious pup. Cute and calming is how most people would describe the dogs, cats and bunnies that visit hospitals, schools and nursing homes to offer emotional support. But, as the Post reports, Wally has never bitten anyone, and Henney always asks permission before taking him somewhere. Before Wally, Henney made his living with animals, too. He said he would never want to take WallyGator on a flight. The emotional support alligator that helps a York County man deal with depression, Good Time - Owl City & Carly Rae Jepsen, a National Geographic article from 2020 notes, two alligators killed an 80-year-old woman, California residents do not sell my data request. Joseph Henney, 69, grew up on a farm in the same area of Dover, Pennsylvania he lives in now. Part of that respect is to never feed them. We never could understand why. WHQR was there and asked animal control and onlookers what it's like to see an animal of this size WallyGator, a 7-year-old reptile, who hails from theCity of Yorkand reportedly loves to give hugs, is currently in the lead in a new pet popularity contest Americas Favorite Pet Animal Kingdom which includes animals of all shapes, sizes and species. It was several years ago, he said, when he told his doctor how much WallyGators antics had greatly helped reduce his depression. However, Kent said he makes it a priority to respond if the alligator is in an emergency situation like if one is on the highway or theres an immediate threat to the alligators safety. While he says alligators probably arent suitable for traveling on planes, as many other emotional support animals do. While #AlligatorLoki is wholly a creation of @michaelwaldron's weird mind, we did have a real world visual reference for him. Several visitors to the park, as well as Wally's owner, Joie Henney, posted images and videos of the affable alligator on a leash, greeting visitors and wandering through the water sprayed by the . He keeps his rescue reptiles in his home in separate indoor enclosures that he purchased for this purpose. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. But their relationship goes back much further than that, the Washington Post reports. Henneys friend then brought the baby alligator, then just 20 inches long, to Pennsylvania. The American alligator lives on the east coast of the USA from North Carolina to Texas. WallyGator is an amazing creature, reads the alligators bio on the site. Kent said so far the state has tagged 800 of them. Coincidentally, the week prior to observing WallyBob, Ayscue had attended a training on responding to alligator calls with North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission biologist Chris Kent. Then she became a lawyer. Henney filled out an application on the U.S. Service Animals website, and once it was approved, he received a certificate along with a harness and leash for his alligator. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Man returns borrowed book to his public library 75 years late, Police save man who fell off boat in 'fog, driving rain and rough seas', Arizona woman who went missing in Utahs Zion National Park found dead. Henney said he eats a couple of chicken legs and rats every three days, along with a bag of cheesy popcorn. Joie Henney said, There was an overabundance of gators in that area. All rights reserved. WallyGator is an alligator. People were surprised when they learned that Henneys alligator had joined the ranks of the emotional support peacock and donkey, he said. Other cities may contend with the urban legend that alligators plague their sewer systems. "And I knew it was for a long period of time because I had his whole jaw print on my face.". WallyGator continues to grow and pack on hundreds of pounds. [5] Mr. Local media said WallyGator is apparently an emotional support alligator from a local reptile rescue. As it turns out, that cosmopolitan crocodilian was actually WallyGator, an actual, legitimate emotional support animal owned by Jonestown resident Joie Henney. WallyGator has visited several times, and most of the residents are eager to pet him and ask questions, Henney said. Henney now takes his gator to swim parties, football games, and to schools and summer camps for educational presentations about reptiles. The pictures and videos of Wally the alligator have gone viral on social media. But Wally is different, he insists. Key Points It is actually illegal to own an alligator in some US states and they have been responsible for numerous attacks on humans over the years including some fatalities. They dont just get bragging rights, either: The winning pet also gets $10,00 plus a two-page feature in InTouch Magazine. WallyGator ultimately came to follow Henney around his home, and enjoyed being held and cuddling on the couch. (Video: @SivalingamHalle via Storyful). Ohio man who suffered 20,000 bee-stings expected to recover, family says, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, 2023 Guardian News & Media Limited or its affiliated companies. He is no ordinary gator. READ MORE: The emotional support alligator that helps a York County man deal with depression. Henney said Wally was found in a pond in Disney World. Alternatively, people can choose to cast 10 to 250 votes through a monetary donation, which will benefit the Progressive Animal Welfare Society (also known as PAWS.org) a nonprofit shelter and rehabilitation organization based in Lynnwood, Washington. 96.7 Southport, Rachel is a graduate of UNCW's Master of Public Administration program, specializing in Urban and Regional Policy and Planning. He doesnt show anger. Henneys best friend, Mary Johnson, recently nominated Wally for the Americas Favorite Pet award. "He's a big supporter of people needing smiles," Henney told our sister station WPVI. Wally The Alligator Just Wants To Cuddle With You. If you saw an alligator walking down the street, swimming in your pool or crashing your wedding, you might try to run away. with WHQR and StoryCorps, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Download "NC Alligators Project on iNaturalist: Step by Step Instructions for Participating". There are only two countries in the world where alligators live: the United States of America and China. Because of these instances, Kent wants to remind the public that its illegal to harm or harass the federally protected species. I was depressed and WallyGator started to do silly things to cheer me up, Henney said. While WallyBob has plenty of fans in the Forest Hills area, Kent said even reporting on the sighting of an alligator like WallyBob can be a danger to the animal. Wally's easygoing personality led Henney to have the gator licensed as an emotional support animal, he said. Are you interested in astrology and zodiac signs? 9 talking about this. WallyGators owners started posting videos of his adventures to his TikTok account @WallyTheAlligator starting in April 2022. The two watch television together on the couch, and when Henney takes him to the farmers market, WallyGator gives hugs to shoppers as long as they are okay with being that close to a 70-pound reptile with a mouth full of razor-sharp teeth. This year, the competition was opened to include animals of all kinds. That is, and we cannot stress this enough, not a joke. Photos show him being hugged by children, and even a special appearance at Hersheys National Night Out. A video has been circulating on social media and major national news outlets featuring a seven-year-old alligator named Wally being walked by a young girl on a leash through the fountains at Love Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Most American alligators live in the states of Florida and Louisiana. The footage was captured on Friday and the alligator Wally has become an internet sensation ever since its photographs and videos were shared online. This gator, he said, was different, noting that WallyGator refused to eat live rats, and really enjoyed a bag of cheese popcorn. First published on October 14, 2022 / 7:34 PM. An alligator from Pennsylvania is in the running for Americas Favorite Pet. But regardless of the competitions results, Henney has big plans for adventures with Wally. On Friday, visitors to the popular Center City tourist spot got a glimpse of a real, live gator perusing the park, complete with a leash. Its currently unknown how many votes WallyGator has, but the animal has a dedicated TikTok following of more than 68,100 people. At first, Henney said people he knew expressed hesitation about owning a pet alligator. WallyGator reportedly lives at his owners home and his go-to treats are cheese puff corn and raw chicken. WallyGator does not have a harness around his mouth, but he has never bitten anyone, Henney said. Joseph Henneys main companion is not an ordinary alligator. According to a Tweet from Eric Martin, one of the writers on Loki, Wally was the real-world model for Alligator Loki (although Martin notes that Alligator Loki himself was wholly the product of head writer Michael Waldron's mind).. Thats when Kent can witness alligator mortality events. WallyGator has tried to bring my blankets with him into his pond!. Two alligators who live at the swamp introduce themselves to Wally and their environment, but . Some folks in Philadelphia's LOVE Park. Wally Gator (voiced by Daws Butler impersonating Ed Wynn) is an anthropomorphic, happy-go-lucky alligator who wears a collar and a pork pie hat. An alligator isnt going to attack you for no reason. Wally, a TikTok-famous alligator perhaps the only alligator registered as an emotional support animal was spotted by CBS Philadelphia out and about, moseying through the park's fountain. On January 24th, 2019, The Philadelphia Enquirer published a story about Wally the Alligator and his then 65-year-old owner Joie Henney. He said hes had knowledge of this particular alligator following the same route for years. Fox News Digital reached out to Americas Favorite Pet and WallyGators owners for comment. It was an emotional support alligator. The account shows WallyGator goes on leashed walks, swims with humans and allowspeople to offer him hugsand kisses. Over the weekend, the neighborhood surrounding Forest Hills Elementary gathered to see a 10-foot alligator eating a large turtle in the creek next to the school. PHILADELPHIA -- An unusual sight was caught on video in Philadelphia Friday: a girl walking an alligator on a leash. It just seems to have a ring to it and it's caught on with neighbors. Not that this requires a source, but alligators can be deadly animals, and often dont make good pets, a National Geographic article from 2020 notes. The large reptiles require a special diet and enrichment such as logs or live plants to hide under and running or spraying water to thrive under human care. Henneys unusual relationship with WallyGator started in 2015, he said, when a friend called from Florida and asked if he could take in a few gators that had been found in a pond in Orlando. The animals can also be deadly. I had Wally, and when I came home and was around him, it was all OK, said Henney, who was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer and is undergoing radiation treatment. I had bulls when I was like, 11 years old. Hes super sweet-natured.. These identical twins married identical twins. Nexstar's WHTM first profiled him back in 2019, following. Now they have sons. As for possibly relocating WallyBob, Kent said thats a dangerous proposition, too. But most people dont have that kind of time to devote to a pet alligators care.. He is famous for his hugs. Kent said he also makes many presentations to community groups, informing them how they can peacefully co-exist with alligators who show up in the neighborhood. He has never tried to bite no one, Henney told The Inquirer in 2019. Its even more dangerous for relocating smaller alligators, if wildlife biologists or enforcement officers put them in a place overpopulated with alligators, theres a good chance they can be killed and eaten by other larger ones in the environment. Henney said after losing some people close to him, he fell into a deep depression. video. He has come with me to radiation and has brought cheer to other patients and the doctors and nurses.. During this years contest, WallyGatorwho calls a rescue in York County his homehas joined in on the competition. Henney acknowledged in his Inquirer interview that Wally is still a wild animal. The winner receives $10,000, and the final round of voting will end Oct. 27. The only place on earth where alligators and crocodiles coexist together is Florida. But, as the Post reports, Wally has never bitten . WallyGator has a following on TikTok and Instagram, and he made headlines Friday after Henney took him to Love Park in Philadelphia. Kent said hes probably hunting for turtles, as to why he ends up hanging out around Wallace Park. The animal appears to be Wally Gator, a viral sensation owned by York, Pennsylvania . Meet Wally Seven-year-old WallyGator is a "licensed emotional support animal", says his TikTok profile which is followed by 68,100 users, as per New York Post. Once they lose their fear, thats when theyll start to swim up, said Kent. People in Philadelphias Love Park were stunned to see an alligator being walked on a leash. Alina Larson 3 min read The five-foot-long alligator enjoys watching television, rummaging the kitchen cupboard and bringing joy to others. Wally the alligator loves to give people hugs and he likes to cuddle which is hard to believe. As a biologist for the commission, Kent has jurisdiction over 12 southeastern counties, so its difficult for him to come to every call in New Hanover County but he said part of his job entails making many site visits to observe and collect data on the Cape Fear regions animals, including alligators. "He is my emotional support alligator," he added. Soon, he was the proud new owner of a pet alligator, lovingly named Wally. If so, the, Yoast SEO breadcrumb filters wpseo_breadcrumb_links and more, Things about Zodiac Signs: Uses, Months, Advantages. Henney took WallyGator to Love Park on Friday, and caused a ruckus on social media.
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