Can an Alligator Really Be Registered as an Emotional Support Animal in Louisiana?

Traveling with emotional support animals has become more accepted by businesses and even live events. Typically emotional support animals are dogs or cats but this is the first time we've seen an emotional support alligator.

Joie Henney and his support alligator Wally were denied entry into the Philadelphia Phillies game on Wednesday. Most people are probably not surprised by that because since when are alligators considered to be comforting animals that are capable of providing emotional support? However, Wally is a little different than the gators in our Louisiana swamps.

He’s just loveable. He sleeps with me, steals my pillows, steals my blankets. He’s just awesome

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Wally's laidback personality allowed Henney to get him licensed as an emotional support pet. This special alligator has been a comforting companion for Henney as he has gone through radiation treatments for cancer.

He doesn’t show anger. He doesn’t show aggression. He hasn’t since the day he was caught. We never could understand why

Previously Joie and Wally have attended other baseball games with no problem so they had not anticipated being turned away at the gate. Wally was actually invited to meet the Phillies players and their partners before Wednesday's game but they arrived late and were not able to spend time with them as originally planned.

So we bought tickets and Wally has been into other baseball games, so we assumed that it was ok

Henney explained that Wally is technically an emotional support animal, not a service animal and according to Citizens Bank Park guidelines service dogs are welcome but all other animals are prohibited. Despite being an online sensation and local celebrity Wally was not allowed into the game Wednesday due to these park guidelines.

According to Henney, Wally is different than any other alligator he's ever dealt with in the past 30 years. Who knows, now that gators are being licensed as emotional support animals, we might start seeing them here in Louisiana. We have plenty in our swamps who just need a little TLC.

For legal purposes, we are not recommending you catch a wild gator and try making it a loving companion like Wally. We think Joie just got lucky with this one. But technically speaking, Joie's story is proof it is possible to have an emotional support gator.