It was just a big misunderstanding.That’s how Joie Henney described what happened on Wednesday outside the gates to Citizens Bank Park, where he said staffers with the Philadelphia Phillies informed him that his emotional support alligator, Wally, would not be permitted in the game.The story went viral with pictures of Henney and Wally, a 5-foot alligator who has more than 100,000 followers on TikTok alone, standing outside the Phillies’ stadium before the club’s matchup with the Pittsburgh Pirates.”He puts smiles on thousands and thousands of people and he does it every day,” he said, noting that a number of Phillies fans entering the ballpark wanted to meet Wally.But since returning home to the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, area, Henney said he’s been frustrated with the way the event was portrayed. He said a fan of Wally, who knew some of the players, invited the pair to try to meet members of the team. Things didn’t work out.Henny said it wasn’t a big deal, but his friend went to purchase admission for them to attend the game. “She went over and bought tickets because Wally has been to baseball games before. Nobody asked them about whether it was OK to bring him in there. Usually, nobody has a problem,” he said.But Henney said staffers informed him Wally wasn’t allowed in. That wasn’t a problem, he said, because their original plans didn’t include bringing the gator into the game.”Nobody had a hard time. Everybody agreed to what was going on,” he said.A Phillies spokeswoman pointed to the team’s policy on animals, noting that only guide dogs, service animals, and service animals in training are allowed in Citizens Bank Park. She said there was no expectation that Wally would be allowed in. Henney agreed and noted that Wally is not a service animal, which are dogs trained to perform a task related to someone’s disability and generally must be allowed in most businesses and settings, according to federal law.”There’s a big difference,” he said.But since then, Henney said he’s been unhappy with criticism lodged at both the Phillies and himself. He said staffers who wouldn’t let Wally into the game didn’t do anything wrong.Wally, who Henney credits with helping him deal with depression, regularly visits hospitals, senior centers, and other locations to bring cheer. The gator was by Henney’s side while he received treatment for cancer.”He puts smiles on the faces of thousands of people and he does it each day. He’s never harmed anyone and he’s never tried to,” he said.Henney said he can understand why some may be skeptical of an alligator being an emotional support animal, but encouraged them to meet Wally.”Until then, stop badmouthing him,” he said.
It was just a big misunderstanding.
That’s how Joie Henney described what happened on Wednesday outside the gates to Citizens Bank Park, where he said staffers with the Philadelphia Phillies informed him that his emotional support alligator, Wally, would not be permitted in the game.
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The story went viral with pictures of Henney and Wally, a 5-foot alligator who has more than 100,000 followers on TikTok alone, standing outside the Phillies’ stadium before the club’s matchup with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
“He puts smiles on thousands and thousands of people and he does it every day,” he said, noting that a number of Phillies fans entering the ballpark wanted to meet Wally.
But since returning home to the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, area, Henney said he’s been frustrated with the way the event was portrayed. He said a fan of Wally, who knew some of the players, invited the pair to try to meet members of the team. Things didn’t work out.
Henny said it wasn’t a big deal, but his friend went to purchase admission for them to attend the game.
“She went over and bought tickets because Wally has been to baseball games before. Nobody asked them about whether it was OK to bring him in there. Usually, nobody has a problem,” he said.
But Henney said staffers informed him Wally wasn’t allowed in. That wasn’t a problem, he said, because their original plans didn’t include bringing the gator into the game.
“Nobody had a hard time. Everybody agreed to what was going on,” he said.
A Phillies spokeswoman pointed to the team’s policy on animals, noting that only guide dogs, service animals, and service animals in training are allowed in Citizens Bank Park. She said there was no expectation that Wally would be allowed in.
Henney agreed and noted that Wally is not a service animal, which are dogs trained to perform a task related to someone’s disability and generally must be allowed in most businesses and settings, according to federal law.
“There’s a big difference,” he said.
But since then, Henney said he’s been unhappy with criticism lodged at both the Phillies and himself. He said staffers who wouldn’t let Wally into the game didn’t do anything wrong.
Wally, who Henney credits with helping him deal with depression, regularly visits hospitals, senior centers, and other locations to bring cheer. The gator was by Henney’s side while he received treatment for cancer.
“He puts smiles on the faces of thousands of people and he does it each day. He’s never harmed anyone and he’s never tried to,” he said.
Henney said he can understand why some may be skeptical of an alligator being an emotional support animal, but encouraged them to meet Wally.
“Until then, stop badmouthing him,” he said.
