The Washington PostDemocracy Dies in Darkness

His emotional support animal is an alligator. They sleep in the same bed.

‘When he turns his nose toward you, that means he expects a kiss,’ Joie Henney said

August 29, 2022 at 6:00 a.m. EDT
Joie Henney holds WallyGator after dropping off food donations for a local charity last summer. (Courtesy of Joie Henney)
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Joseph Henney’s emotional support animal WallyGator goes with him almost everywhere, from the grocery store to walks in the park. They hug each other and sleep in the same bed. WallyGator is an alligator.

“When he turns his nose toward you, that means he expects a kiss,” said Henney, 69, who goes by Joie (pronounced “Joe”) and lives in Jonestown, Pa., about two hours from Philadelphia. “He’s super sweet-natured.”