Who’s a good boy?
A man out for a stroll in Philadelphia found himself going viral after people spotted his emotional support alligator called Wally.
Documented extensively through a series of viral shots and videos, Wally made friends at Philadelphia’s LOVE Park on Friday as he played in the water features.
“We were just walking by LOVE Park and saw this kid playing with an alligator in the fountain,” Britt Miller told the Philly Voice news site. “Of course, there were a ton of people around taking pictures. The girl [who had the alligator] seemed to be with her family, who were sitting off to the side. They were super friendly. People were picking up the alligator, petting it, all sorts of stuff.”
Ok this is Wally, he is accepting pets pic.twitter.com/ui0unEhhAF
— Britt (@brimil) August 26, 2022
The gator’s owner Joie Henney was pictured with the animal on his lap, and throughout TikTok where passersby were eager to have a play.
Henney, who runs a Forgotten Friend Reptile Sanctuary, later told USA Today that he brought Wally to LOVE Park for a little meet and greet.
Just a big snuggle bunny???? pic.twitter.com/PYOk17QskF
— Britt (@brimil) August 26, 2022
Wally was rescued back in 2016 in Florida when he was only 14 months old. According to the York Daily Record, Henney fed his new friend with tongs at first until he felt comfortable enough to pick Wally up soon after.
“He wants to be loved and petted,” he told the outlet at the time.
After taking Wally to schools for educational purposes, Henney realised that kids with developmental issues gravitate towards his scaly companion. By 2018, Wally was fully certified to be an emotional support animal.
But that isn’t all.
Wally has also been entered in America’s Favorite Pet Animal Kingdom and is currently first in his category. His profile features a pic of the gator wearing sunglasses and says he “loves to give hugs!!!”
Fingers crossed for you, Wally!
If you want to support Wally and the other reptiles, you can donate here.
Related Links:
- Elderly woman killed by alligators after falling into country club pond
- Man has chunks ripped out of his leg after mistaking an alligator for a dog
- Man has chunks ripped out of his leg after mistaking an alligator for a dog
