Wally the Alligator Is an Unlikely Emotional Support Animal for Kids with Disabilities
January 23, 2019
By: Maura Hohman
Source: People
Most people don’t think of reptiles that can kill humans as particularly snuggly or calming, but a Pennsylvania man is changing that perception.
Joie Henney of Strinestown keeps a 4-foot-6-inch alligator named Wally as a pet and brings him to various facilities as an emotional support animal for vulnerable populations and people living with disabilities, Yahoo! News reports.
A few months after getting Wally, Henney began taking him to schools and senior homes for educational purposes, but he quickly noticed children with developmental issues especially enjoyed Wally’s presence.