How an alligator became an emotional support animal: ‘They said it was a

midlife crisis’
Level: Intermediate

1
  Warmer

a. Talk with a partner and try to answer these questions together.

1. Why do people keep pets?

2. Which animals make the best pets for the following people and why?

a. a young family with two children under 10

b. a pensioner who lives alone

c. a middle-aged couple who both work full-time

2
  Key words

a. Write the correct words from the wordpool next to the definitions below. Then find and
highlight them in the article to read them in context.

attention comfort foster hogs hug

nominated register sanctuary sense willing

1. male pigs

2. the interest or thought that you give to something you are listening to or watching

3. to know about something through a feeling, without being told

4. to make someone feel less sad, worried, or disappointed

5. the action of putting your arms round someone to show your love or friendship

6. to put information about someone or something on an official list

7. a place for pets that are not wanted or that have not been treated well

8. to look after an animal (or child) for a period of time in your home

9. when someone or something is officially suggested to win a prize or award

10. wanting or offering to do something

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 How an alligator became an emotional support animal: ‘They said it was a
midlife crisis’
Level: Intermediate
b. Use some of the key words above to complete these sentences.

1. Can I please have your , ladies and gentlemen?

2. Everyone knew that she’d be for Best Actor for her role in the film.

3. He went upstairs to the nursery to their crying baby.

4. We are looking for families who can rescue dogs in their homes.

5. Dave opened his arms to give Julie a big .

6. I’m to babysit whenever you need me to.

7. You need to your change of address within 14 days.

8. The dog seemed to immediately his fear.

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 How an alligator became an emotional support animal: ‘They said it was a
midlife crisis’
Level: Intermediate
Joseph Henney’s main 8 To Henney’s surprise, his doctor was happy
companion is not an ordinary to help him register Wally as an emotional
support animal. The registration will have to
alligator. ‘He tries to comfort be renewed each year. (Wally is a 5.5ft-long
people and is famous for alligator, after all.)
his hugs’ 9 “I said, ‘Doc, you’ve lost your marbles.’”
Erum Salam 10 But so far, there has been no problem with the
Sat 3 Sep 2022 astonishing situation.
1 Joseph Henney, 69, grew up on a farm in 11 As well as building houses and furniture,
Pennsylvania. From a young age, Henney was Henney used to work at wildlife sanctuaries.
surrounded by animals, such as cattle, coyotes, He also fostered animals in his own home until
snakes and hogs. So, it’s not surprising that he a sanctuary, park or zoo was ready to care
owns a pet alligator. for them. Most people foster cats or dogs, but
Henney fostered reptiles such as iguanas,
2 But Henney’s gator companion, Wally, is not rattlesnakes, cobras, komodo dragons and
an ordinary pet – he’s an official emotional alligators – all in his house.
support animal and is now famous after a
12 But Wally is different, he says. He is no
video of Henney and Wally walking together in
ordinary gator.
Philadelphia’s Love Park went viral, so there
were stories about them in the news. 13 “He doesn’t bite,” he said. “He refuses to bite
everything alive. We do not know why.”
3 Five years ago, Henney was depressed and
lonely after some of his closest friends and 14 At first, Henney said people he knew were
family members died at about the same time. worried about owning him a pet alligator. Some
A friend in Florida, who rescues animals, tried to talk him out of the idea altogether.
brought a baby alligator, then just 20in long, to 15 “They told me it was a midlife crisis.”
Henney. He named the alligator Wally.
16 But Henney’s friends soon changed their
4 “I lost three family members and four lifelong minds. Henney now introduces students in
friends in two weeks. I went into a big, deep schools and kids in summer camps to Wally,
depression,” Henney said. “My doctor wanted educating them about reptiles. Henney’s friend
to give me anti-depression medicine, but I recently nominated Wally for the America’s
wouldn’t take it. I went back to see the doctor a Favorite Pet award. He’s hoping he wins.
month later. And he said, ‘What are you doing,
17 Henney has big plans for adventures with
Joe? You’re much better.’
Wally. He says alligators probably aren’t
5 “I said, ‘I’m hanging out with my alligator.’” suitable for traveling on planes, as many other
6 Henney told stories about how he played emotional support animals do.
games with Wally, how Wally played with 18 “But we’re willing to travel. I mean, there are
Henney by pulling his blanket off him or taking ships, there are trains. We can drive. We can
his pillow. He explained to his doctor that, do it all,” he said.
“Wally does things alligators do not do.”. © Guardian News and Media 2022
7 “He is constantly with me, constantly keeping First published in The Guardian, 03/09/2022
my attention, and making me laugh. We found
that he does sense people’s emotions, and
he tries to comfort them. He is famous for his
hugs. People come from all over the world to
get a hug.”
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 How an alligator became an emotional support animal: ‘They said it was a
midlife crisis’
Level: Intermediate

3
  Understanding the article

a. Are these statements True or False according to the article? Correct any that are false.

1. Joseph Henney has spent most of his life living with Wally, the alligator.

2. Joseph had been suffering from depression after a car accident.

3. His doctor prescribed him anti-depression medicine, but it didn’t help.

4. As a child, growing up on a farm, Joseph often played games with the hogs.

5. Joseph was surprised when his doctor agreed to him register Wally as an
emotional-support animal.

6. Wally has only bitten Joseph once, but Joseph said it didn’t really hurt.

7. People come from all over the place to get an alligator hug from Wally.

8. Joseph and Wally travel all over the US to schools and summer camps on trains, planes,
and buses.

4
  Key language

a. Find multi-word phrases that fit with the meanings.

1. spread quickly on the internet and social media (paragraph 2)

2. spend time with (paragraph 5)

3. gone crazy (paragraph 9)

4. try to convince someone not to do something (paragraph 14)

5. strong feelings of worry and doubt that some people have about their lives when they reach
middle age (paragraph 15)
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 How an alligator became an emotional support animal: ‘They said it was a
midlife crisis’
Level: Intermediate
b. Use them to complete these sentences.

1. What are you doing? Are you completely crazy?

Anyone would think that you’ve !

2. Jan knew that, when Rodney bought a Harley Davidson, it was just part of his
.

3. The video of their dance moves .

4. Rodney had worked hard all his life, so no one tried to buying the
large and expensive motorbike.

5. I plan to spend the weekend my old school friends.

c. Then use each one in a new sentence of your own.

5
  Discussion

a. Discuss these questions.

• Which parts of the article do you find most interesting or surprising? Why?

• How can animals help someone’s mental and/or physical health?

• What are the best and worst things about living with animals and keeping pets?

• Talk about pets you’ve lived with, or animals you have known. Would they have made good
emotional-support animals?

6 In your own words

  

a. Follow the instructions for the following research and writing task:

Look up how to register an emotional-support animal in the US and in the UK.

Write an email about your pet.

Say how it helps you and why you want to register it as an emotional support animal.
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