CNN —Emotional support animals registrations in the United States reached 115,832 last year, by an industry group’s count. But in the eyes of reptile rescuer Joie Henney, there’s only one:“Wally Gator” – his “gentle” certified emotional support alligator. The department “routinely” gets calls about “nuisance alligators,” she said, and refers callers to a permitted alligator agent trapper, per its protocols. Wally is often shown letting others pet and hold him, with Henney telling CNN in 2022, “He doesn’t show anger. We never could understand why.”Emotional support alligator, Wally, wanders in 2022 around Love Park in Philadelphia.

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Persons: Joie Henney, Wally Gator ”, Wally, “, Melissa Cummings, ”, Cummings, Henney, Halle Sivalingam Henney, don’t, “ He’s, ” Henney, ” Cummings, Wally hasn’t, ” CNN’s Ben Morse, Zoe Sottile, Sara Smart Organizations: CNN, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources, Henney, Halle, State, Philadelphia Phillies, Citizens Bank, US Department of Transportation, Phillies Locations: United, Pennsylvania, Brunswick, Georgia, Love, Philadelphia, Florida