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Joie Henney and his roommate WallyGator, a loving and gentle alligator.
Joie (pronounced "Joe") of Jonestown, PA about two hours from Philadelphia and WallyGator have a bond like no other.
They shop together, watch TV together, hug each other and even sleep in the same bed together as WallyGator has a free run of Joie's home.
And when they go out together, 7-year-old, 70-pound, 5 1/2 foot long WallyGator, hugs those they meet who would like a hug from him.
"When he turns his nose toward you, that means he expects a kiss," Joie told The Washington Post. "He's super sweet-natured."
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WallyGator joined Joie in 2015 when as a tiny alligator, he was removed from a pond near Disney World, and a friend of Joie's asked if he would take him.
He asked because for 30-years, Joie has relocated unwanted alligators and other reptiles to wildlife sanctuaries and zoos.
Before Joie relocates them, they live in special indoor protective enclosures, but not WallyGator. "I bonded with him and was committed to caring for him," he said.
Alligators can be extremely dangerous, and Joie had always been immensely cautious with them.
But when WallyGator began following him around the house, like a curious child and was gentle and loving, they grew close.
"He enjoyed being held, and I thought, 'Wow, this is a super nice, friendly alligator.'"
In 2017, WallyGator emotionally supported Joie when several close family members died and did so again recently during Joie's prostate cancer radiation treatments.
Seeing this amazing interaction, a doctor helped to register WallyGator as an emotional support animal.
Now Joie and his emotional support animal together visit managed care facilities, schools, sports events and attend other social activities, very much the talk of the town.
Editor's Note:
To learn more washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2022/08/29/emotional-support-alligator-wally-henney/.
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