Emotional Support Alligator Visits Senior Center
One very uncommon pet visited a senior living facilities — it was a Florida native, an alligator.
Joie Henney’s alligator, named Wally, is 3 years old and about 4½ feet long. The unorthodox pet quickly turned heads on Monday as he walked on a leash through the senior center. I would not get close to that alligator…
While some were understandably apprehensive about approaching a large reptile with razor-sharp teeth, Henney tried to put them at ease, encouraging residents to interact with Wally.
According to the York Daily Record, Wally was rescued from Florida where a congregation of gators were set to be destroyed to make room for a development.
The owner started bringing Wally to schools and senior centers to educate people about alligators. That’s when he noticed the gator appeared to have a calming presence, so he decided to have Wally registered as an emotional support animal. How is this allowed?
Henney built a 300-gallon pond in his living room for Wally and his other gator, a 2-year-old named Scrappy. He said Wally enjoys watching TV, and said his favorite movie is “The Lion King.”
More info HERE.
