Emotional Support Alligator Helps Man With His Depression

Joie Henney who is 65 years old from Pennsylvania states his emotional support alligator helps him cope with his depression.

The alligator, Wally, is registered as an emotional support animal (ESA). The alligator is 5-foot-long and weighs 60 pounds Henney told Philly.com in an interview he likes to give hugs and snuggle. Hennery received the proper paperwork to register Wally as an emotional support animal. When asked why he chose to get the anima, he said he did not want to take psychiatric medication for his depression.

Henn told Philly.com Wally was rescued when he was 14 months old near Orlando. He has not reached his full size and continues to grow. The alligator will grow to approximately 16 feet and weigh 900 to 1,100 pound. Henney said Wally’s favorite food is chicken wings and he swims in a 300-gallon plastic pond. He shares the pond with another alligator which was rescued who is smaller named Scrappy.

The alligator’s favorite television programs are “Swamp People” and “Gator Boys. He also enjoys watching “The Lion King.”

Henny became tearful when he told the interviewer that three of his best friends died within days of each other. He did not think he would be able to move on. Wally came into bed and slept with him when he felt sick and depressed, filling a void.

He continued with the interview by saying the alligator made him feel better and realized he was no longer depressed and felt as if everything was going to be OK. His doctor knew he was living with Wally and had no problems registering the alligator as an emotional support animal.

Growing up on a farm in Dover, besides alligators, he has always loved animals He used to nurse injured animals. When he was in the Marine Corps, he would ride bulls. Coming back from the Marines, he became a construction worker.

Wally, the alligator, turns four years old this year. Henney claims he lays down on Henny and gives hugs. He also said Wally is like a big teddy bear.

Henny reported the alligator is scared of cats and has not bitten anybody. He does acknowledge the alligator is a wild animal and could kill somebody or rip an arm off, but has never felt scared of him. He also never felt as if Wally would attack him.

Henney has always been around wild animals, and it is not unusual for him to feel comfortable in their presence. From 1989 to 2000 according to the York Daily Records, he hosted a show on ESPN Outdoors called “Joie Henney’s Outdoors.”

Henny says Wally is just like a dog and wants to be petted and loved. He often takes the alligator to minor-league baseball games and senior centers for meet-and-greets.

The number of animals being registered as Emotional Support Animal is multiplying. To have an animal designated as an ESA, it must be approved by a doctor. Once the process has been completed, it is granted access to airplanes, businesses, and restaurants. Dexter, an emotional support peacock, was banned from a United Airlines flight in Jan. 2018. The peacock died suddenly on July 22, 2018.

The Daily News and the Inquirer reported recently it is becoming more common for college students to bring ESA to live with them in their dormitories.

Henny is the father of five children and is a grandfather to 18 grandchildren. They are not afraid of the alligator and consider him a part of the family.

Written By Barbara Sobel

Sources:

Huffpost: Man Says Emotional Support Alligator Helps His Depression
The Philadelphia Inquirer: ‘He likes to give hugs’: York County man says emotional support alligator helps his depression
The Kansas City Star: Dexter the emotional support peacock has died, leaving a void ‘no one will ever fill’
The Detroit News: Man says emotional support alligator helps depression

Featured and Top Image Courtesy of Sue Slick’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License