This Alligator Just Wants to Cuddle You

It's the latest offbeat critter to be designated a comfort animal, an alligator named Wally. But as Stephen Fabian found out, Wally really does bring calm. Imagine encountering this wild beast out for a stroll. Joe Henney of York, Pennsylvania takes his pet alligator Wally everywhere with him. The 5-foot-long gator with 83 razor-sharp teeth is, get this, his emotional support animal. Here is your official card, registered emotional support animal Wally, with a picture of Wally, his date of birth, January 3rd, 2015. So this shows you're not kidding. No, not at all. He is federally licensed emotional support animal. The pair sometimes gets frightened looks. You're terrified. But if you'd hold him, you'd understand why he's an emotional support animal. This woman wanted nothing to do with Wally until Joe convinced her to hold him. Support his tail. There she is. When it's time to give him back. He's saying, where's my kiss? I don't blame you on that. You can. Wally loves getting kisses. My husband's going to be jealous, Wally. And being hugged. He is quite the ladies' man. Isn't he gorgeous? Wow. He is heavy. He'll hug you, yes. Bigger than all my babies. Oh my God, he feels so good. He's like one of those weighted blankets that they use for stress. You blow it. Okay, there you go. He's so gentle that Joe actually takes him to a daycare center. The alligator just touched me. The alligator touched you? Yeah. Where parents and staff can't get enough. Say hi, sweet Wally. See, I naturally want to rock him. He's my baby. My heart's like racing. Isn't he cool? Yeah. Do you want a pet alligator now? You want to take an alligator home? No. Wally's also a regular at the pet store and even the dollar store. Wally, can I interest you in a Gatorade? Huh? What do you think? What's your favorite flavor, Wally? Back home, the 35-pound gator has free reign of the house. Wally loves watching TV and even has his own pool. Aren't you worried he's going to bite somebody? No. Wally, you can't. I don't think there's anything you can do to make him bite anybody. So how exactly does Wally help Joe emotionally? I don't know what I would have done without him. Joe says Wally's cuddles have helped him through depression. He's not your typical alligator. He's just more affectionate. He just comes up and he just lays and cuddles. He'll take naps with me. Who knew a gator could offer one guy so much emotional support?