Internet-Famous Emotional Support Alligator Attends Flyers Game And Dances With Gritty After Getting Snubbed By Phillies

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Earlier this year, the Philadelphia Phillies informed a fan he wasn’t allowed to attend a game after he attempted to enter the stadium with an emotional support alligator named Wally. Now, that unconventional sidekick is back in the news courtesy of the Flyers.

Emotional support animals have become the butt of countless jokes in recent years thanks to people who’ve claimed they need exotic animals at their sides at all times in order to preserve their mental health. With that said, they provide an invaluable service for struggling souls who genuinely benefit from their company.

That includes Pennsylvania resident Joie Henney, who has understandably attracted plenty of attention for relying on the services of a gator named Wally to battle depression.

Henney (who keeps a number of reptiles at his home) has been caring for Wally since 2015 and eventually registered him as an emotional support animal after the mild-mannered gator helped him overcome a number of personal tragedies.

Wally routinely accompanies Henney in public with the help of the leash and harness strapped to the animal, and while his owner says most businesses tend to be pretty accommodating once they get over the initial shock, the Philadelphia Phillies declined the grant the duo access to a Citizens Bank Park when they attempted to attend a game at the end of September.

However, the Philadelphia Flyers were happy to welcome them to Wells Fargo Arena when the team hosted the Hurricanes on Monday night, and Wally got a V.I.P. experience that included getting to dance with Gritty on the Jumbotron.

The team’s mascot also posted a few pictures of him and Wally hanging out near the rink during a contest where the home team ultimately lost by a goal.

Props to the Flyers for going out of their way to help an emotional support alligator live its best life.