Emotional support alligator helps man with deep depression

When you think of emotional support animals, you may think of dogs or cats. But one Pennsylvania man has an alligator named Wally. Steve Hartman shares more in "On the Road."
#ontheroad #stevehartman #alligator
"CBS Evening News with Norah O'Donnell" delivers the latest news and original reporting, and goes beyond the headlines with context and depth. Catch the "CBS Evening News" weeknights at 6:30 p.m. ET on the CBS Television Network and at 10 p.m. ET on the CBS News app.
Subscribe to the "CBS Evening News" KZbin channel: bit.ly/1S7Dhik
Watch full episodes of "CBS Evening News": cbsn.ws/23XekKA
Follow "CBS Evening News" on Instagram: bit.ly/1T8icTO
Like "CBS Evening News" on Facebook: on. 1KxYobb
Follow "CBS Evening News" on Twitter: bit.ly/1O3dTTe
Download the CBS News app: cbsn.ws/1Xb1WC8
Try Paramount+ free: bit.ly/2OiW1kZ
For video licensing inquiries, contact: [e-mail]

[@CBSEveningNews]

Click here for more Steve Hartman stories: kzbin.info/aero/PLEb3ThbkPrFY2oXucmnnB9ROMTIQXp5zj

[@thagomizer1]

If I had a nickel every time I’ve seen a man with an emotional support alligator I’d have two nickels, which isn’t a lot but it’s weird that it happened twice.

[@Sayonara_Sumi]

Is it weird I have seen this scenario 5 times?

[@enriquewaisfisz7261]

Nice hint to doofensmits man

[@parading_panda1210]

​@Sayonara_Sumi lucky, you get a whole 25 cents. 😢

[@lalotime]

Norm macdonald joke

[@Dennis-nc3vw]

"Wally lives on cheetos and chicken legs." Just like me!

[@eveningstar8581]

😂😂

[@beanbun2312]

he likes cheeto 😭😭❤❤❤

[@systemicchaos3921]

😂😂😂

[@Poodle_Gun]

They're soulmates. He just so happened to meet the one nice alligator, and the alligator just so happened to be saved by an alligator expert.

[@Dying2survivegaming]

Said the guy ate by an alligator

[@qwertyuiopoiuytrewp]

Alligators are pretty nice; it's crocodiles you have to watch out for.

[@ColonelMarcellus]

Load of sheeyit.

[@mshourba27]

I hope him and Wally have a happy long life together. he is absolutely adorable and I’m glad he helps with his depression. Depression can suck the life out of you.

[@wesgleeson]

Wally got stolen and then the authorities released him into the wild :(

[@SuperlativeCG]

Alligator can live up to 50 years, which is why there is a high chance they will see you later.

[@emersonssbb]

actually they can live up 50-100 years in captivity.

[@marklawrence343]

Nice, good for you man. Depression is no joke, hope you both live long and safely together.

[@vivianasong7271]

OMG! What great coverage. Those are not crocodile tears. I teared up too!

[@OregonCrow]

so cringe, go outside.

[@eveningstar8581]

Me too! That was so sweet! They are very bonded and it's incredibly special 💕

[@OregonCrow]

@@robertl5282 k

[@scr3am273]

@@robertl5282 this comment is actually cringe

[@Saulissaltychannel]

May the lord be with him and the alligator , very special bond

[@jhonfloibelmiculob6581]

What can I say. You have a great alligator friend in there Sir, I wish you good mental and physical health and also very long years of companionship to come.

[@c.torres5400]

I know the dangers that come with associating human emotions to an animal, that being said....that alligator looked genuinely Happy. This story is amazing, Thank you Mr Hartman

[@OregonCrow]

Animals don't know how to look happy or feel it. All you saw is your own reflection.

[@Durka-Durka]

@@OregonCrow You never saw a happy dog?

[@OregonCrow]

@@Durka-Durka I've seen an excited dog.

[@katatista]

@@OregonCrowanimals feel happiness thats a fact not an opinion

[@OregonCrow]

@@katatista They do not, that's YOU feeling the happiness, not them. Pets are only reflections of our emotions.

[@jacobgates1986]

wow I never thought I'd see a smile on a croc but the last few seconds of the croc clip he was truly smiling. now I've seen it all

[@Ausgar-yc1yl]

Alligator not crocodile.

[@weldinggirl]

My goodness this is the best lol, I’m so happy he is not depressed much more, always try and find help or talk to someone depression is the worst

[@gottmituns813]

So emotional and rare at the same time

[@lynettedundon1410]

Lucky alligator!❤️

[@amonrodriguez3518]

Just mention it’s Steve Hartman! He’s literally the reason I follow the channel!

[@ramonagordon7406]

Wally puts a smile on my face😀

[@bob75ma]

this is simply one of the most beautiful things i have ever seen or heard of in my entire life. i am happy for them both.

[@charlenemack7040]

I don’t understand it. All I know is it’s beautiful and I’m crying. But they are happy tears.😢😊

[@amandataebby]

Welcome to Pennsylvania where it's illegal to have a hedgehog as a pet, but not an alligator 😂

[@aprilhensel7806]

Nice to have a good animal friend!

[@muffs55mercury61]

There have been previous stories of Wally and they are very heartwarming. Nice to see another one. Wally is not the only friendly alligator as a woman in Florida also has one. They are quite misunderstood.

[@max-UH-million]

What a good boy

[@mbenjamin292]

This a good man wow touched my heart I love the story what a sweet alligator and man.

[@christianschoff2490]

HE'S A GOOD BOY!

[@User_92020]

Imagine this guy going to church with his emotional support alligator.

[@tracimontgomery6515]

i love u wally!!!!!!!!!!!!!. good job dad

[@Lalaaaa1995]

How sweet ❤

[@egmusic1925]

Alligator 🥰

[@corbano9679]

Wally and his owner are still alive and happy as of October 2023.

[@rainydaywoman5758]

And, when Wally's owner dies @ home, guess who Wally is having for dinner 😅😂

[@corbano9679]

@@rainydaywoman5758 same with a cat, whats your point? They are still carnivorous animals that need to eat.

[@roadtohealingandfertility]

@@rainydaywoman5758right 😂

[@heresjohnny23.7]

They stole Wally!!!! And he was dumped in a lake!!! Spread the word!!! Bring Wallygator home!!

[@emeraldcity9443]

Such a beautiful story

[@ticotechhouston4917]

My neighbor's dog knows that I have depression, yet he still tries to bite me.

[@yelleryoung5870]

That's because he/she knows you intend harm on it or its family.

[@swagsukeuchiha7599]

​@@yelleryoung5870 huh

[@scr3am273]

How tf a dog knows you have depression?

[@angiemusic78]

Precious ❤❤

[@jintyc9133]

Love this man and Wally ❤❤❤

[@jayne4444]

Bless you both Find Love where it blooms...

[@Lavendeer201]

Thats adorable. Wally is such a good scaley boi. I love untraditional pets that actually have a relationship with their owner ❤

[@JaneDoe-xx6hp]

Wally is such a good boy, he deserves all the Cheetos. I wish I could give him a little smooch on the head.

[@georgewilliamsiii4677]

He isn't claiming it's a service animal so that's fine with me. And while it's a volatile subject. Any animal can provide comfort to someone. He seems to know exactly what he's got himself in to. And knows they are what they are. I say he's doing it fine.

[@georgewilliamsiii4677]

@Rich Perez to 99.9% but there's always the one. Like soul mates, maybe they haven't found each other yet. But we also can't say that's a fact for every single honey badger. There was a vid of a honey badger and a fox I believe who acted if not like friends then travel companions.

[@Ausgar-yc1yl]

He is claiming it is a service animal by taking it in public.

[@Freezeivy]

God Bless them

[@teddywaldo8685]

He is very Lovable and most unusual.

[@asparagus0000]

Special family❤

[@fernandobattistoni187]

Qué hermosa y emocionante historia de amistad!!! Amo a los animales. No tienen crueldad, sus acciones son sólo por instinto. Los seres humanos tenemos tanto para aprender de ellos. Que sean muy felices juntos 💓. Mi deseo desde Argentina.

[@azillliasmith2734]

Not sure if this is a good thing feel sad for the alligator but I hope they are both safe......alligator is beautiful ❤️

[@ExquisuiteBurgerConsumer]

this is so wholesome, honestly the gators cute

[@tarta_moor]

No reason to hate on this.... this is actually pretty cool

[@Conan-ny1um]

Seen it all now! But it makes him happy.

[@kezsovreign]

This is the most gangsta thing ive ever seen! And that Gator is absolutely smiling!!!! I love this ❤❤

[@publichealth9470]

Somehow, it'll still end in tears.

[@soundreign2319]

😮 everyday is full of surprises such as this

[@paulginsberg6942]

I love it. Beautiful ceatures.

[@Lousasshol]

“Chillin w alligator watching football eating Cheetos and chicken wings”

[@Crowned921]

I love this! ❤️

[@quaidmciver172]

The poor woman thought the same thing about her pet chimp 😔

[@mekhisharp7843]

He was on human anti depressants whole different situation

[@johnd.5601]

There was documented issues with that chimp long before the face incident. He tried to mount the woman who owned him.

[@arm8636]

​@@mekhisharp7843what's the story of that woman? Never heard of it

[@MrLGD1234]

@@arm8636think it was something like a woman had a pet chimp but was feeding it human anti depressants. It then proceeded to rip her face off. There’s pictures online

[@kallemetsahalme5701]

and lots of humans thought the same about their human partner

[@AJBALLZ]

That’s so cool I want one

[@joeyhatter7603]

When cold blooded animals learn to be pets they learn that the person holding them is warm as the sun probably why he cuddles with him all the time and of course of the bond they have

[@kdawg2468]

The swamp pupper

[@rainydaywoman5758]

He said he gets lonely, why not try dating? A wild animal is a wild animal and can turn @ any moment, he's brave!

[@hauntedforest8821]

I would like to meet him, some day. 🐊

[@MatthewSmith-lx6ml]

Bring back Wally

[@mariamorales7805]

Ohhhhh I love Wally

[@pussycat4040]

❤

[@killerontheloose80]

Where is the dodo Channel when you need it

[@bhunt799]

Wally looks so cute.

[@RidingHumboldtCounty]

Wow ❤❤❤

[@tmm6884]

What a delightful friendship. But, please remember that wild animals are not pets. If they were I'd have a house full of big cats.

[@ratman6417]

What a fren!

[@staghornthedruid957]

Wally needs a youtube

[@jgh548]

This must be the most interesting pet ever. And that’s no croc.

[@RedPolarBearRanger]

Tonight during the Phillies game he and Wally were denied entry into the game against the Pirates SMH.

[@Agaming22]

Yes I seen that on the news

[@Ausgar-yc1yl]

Because he is NOT a service animal. Emotional support animals are NOT allowed in public.

[@yourenotmarywelcome8693]

It was the right call to deny him entry. Even though this may be the world’s gentlest alligator…it’s still an alligator. Where do we draw the line? Hippo’s Ostrich Hyena’s

[@tiffanyalberti2029]

When I see videos like this I cannot help but think of movies like Lyle Lyle Crocodile.

[@Hava744]

I would love him

[@bunkerhillguy2542]

Its a Disney Alligator so obviously lol

[@AnyManProjects]

Once their basic needs are met (food, safety, habitat) most every animal seems to have most emotions available that humans do. I’ve seen love, trust, empathy, and dedication etc to humans who’ve treated them kindly, my whole life.

[@MistyLarasati]

A group of people stole Wally and dumped him in a swamp.. This poor man is looking for him. I hope they find him.

[@-_noble_-2621]

Cutest thing ever ngl o man

[@mar-k7104]

Listen I love reptiles and they deserve a helluva lot more respect but even I was like “he should probably tape the mouth shut if he’s going to let strangers near it” (from what I’ve heard it’s completely safe if the tape is the right brand and not too tight) but then I saw him literally stick his hand in the little guys mouth and I’ve never been so shook while being wrong, that is amazing. I never thought I’d see an alligator that chill

[@johntan3405]

Crazy old man 🤣🤣🤣

[@michaelminnick7832]

Man that's so cool 👍

[@EricaHansberry]

I want to hug a gator so bad.

[@user-nz4wn1hd1g]

❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@bornwild3955]

Walt Disney put some Xanax in the water to keep the gator chilling out this one got permanent damage

[@malanamayers]

They got one person in Louisiana who has a baby alligator but it's illegal here to have them as pets

[@candidfellow]

this reporter is the dame dude that reported about an old man meeting a young girl and fell in love, that's the only other segment I saw of him and he has a very distinctive look

[@florinaslan5482]

I can say wally is a rare case of being well tamed, but still most alligators be quite dangerous as a pet. Even if you raise it with kindness and love, someday they might bite you back.

[@crazyjkass]

Wally isn't just tame, he has a neurological disorder where he doesn't know how to snap. If he wasn't hand-fed, he would starve.

[@yourenotmarywelcome8693]

⁠@@crazyjkass- Okay. Now that is such a better explanation than “He’s just super friendly and unusually tame”.

[@GCJACK83]

If Wally came up to me, I'd pet'im. Maybe even give him a cheeto or two. Especially since archaeological biologists recently found out cats domesticated themselves. Doesn't bug me much to think other animals can't do the same.

[@yourenotmarywelcome8693]

I prefer to not think about alligators being semi-aware. A prehistoric predator, choses to domesticate its self…..because human’s are an easier source for food? Or an easier source of food. Nope. Not a question we need answered.

[@willardchi2571]

What happens when he finds out people taste like chicken?

[@robertmendoza3855]

so sad wally is now missing 😢

[@flyingchineseman6901]

I just love to watch how the news report this gator lol

[@reneeschiavon9250]

Giving him Cheetos, and keeping him in a small tub is not good.

[@mariettadamico2759]

O and by the way what happens when Wally wants a snack when they are sleeping in bed together at night 😂

[@robertyetter7370]

Omg I'm so sick of the bots

[@nd264u7]

You could hear the guy was smiling at the end

[@aprilsmith3683]

Wally has invisible wings...🇿🇦🩷🐊

[@user-vm5ud4xw6n]

Well that’s definitely a new one! The warning (don’t try this at home) is duly noted. I doubt I would see one around anyway. I would have loved to hear some reactions from the townspeople. Aside from the toddler who screamed and ran for mama!

[@sunnyrodrigues8744]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@tvtechwonv27]

Bring Wally Back 🙏

[@maxpayne0006]

Damn. 🐊

[@Reeltinyphish]

And now he is missing.

[@seanmorrissey1528]

One day, the alligator is gonna think Joe might be very tasty! 😮

[@kimberleydupper-daniel3748]

Oh holy crap!

[@teresalegler2777]

I guess there’s always a first time for everything! I’m from south Louisiana, alligators are not your typical stress reduction animal of choice.