Six-year-old Iris Grace Halmshaw, who has autism, immediately bonded with Thula when her parents brought the affectionate Maine Coon kitten home two years ago. Click through our gallery to see more of their adventures.
Six-year-old Iris Grace Halmshaw, who has autism, immediately bonded with Thula when her parents brought the affectionate Maine Coon kitten home two years ago. Click through our gallery to see more of their adventures.
courtesy Arabella Carter-Johnson
Because being indoors can be distracting for Iris, her mother, Arabella Carter-Johnson, creates outdoor classrooms so that she can homeschool her daughter in a peaceful environment that encourages her to retain information. Thula also participates.
Because being indoors can be distracting for Iris, her mother, Arabella Carter-Johnson, creates outdoor classrooms so that she can homeschool her daughter in a peaceful environment that encourages her to retain information. Thula also participates.
courtesy Arabella Carter-Johnson
Thula often mimics Iris when she's engaging in an activity. It encourages Iris to continue learning.
Thula often mimics Iris when she's engaging in an activity. It encourages Iris to continue learning.
courtesy Arabella Carter-Johnson
Whenever Iris is painting, which is her favorite activity, Thula is always close by.
Whenever Iris is painting, which is her favorite activity, Thula is always close by.
courtesy Arabella Carter-Johnson
Because of her dedicated concentration for hours at a time, Iris has honed her artistic skills and creates beautiful works of art that are sold on her website.
Because of her dedicated concentration for hours at a time, Iris has honed her artistic skills and creates beautiful works of art that are sold on her website.
courtesy Arabella Carter-Johnson
Her style has been referred to as Impressionistic and Monet-like.
Her style has been referred to as Impressionistic and Monet-like.
courtesy Arabella Carter-Johnson
In addition to occupational, speech, yoga and music therapy, Iris engages with a number of activities that are led by her interests (and being outside) to keep her engaged, learning and developing speech and communication.
In addition to occupational, speech, yoga and music therapy, Iris engages with a number of activities that are led by her interests (and being outside) to keep her engaged, learning and developing speech and communication.
courtesy Arabella Carter-Johnson
Iris creates her paintings using a variety of brushes and techniques with watercolors, like dabbing, flicking and dotting.
Iris creates her paintings using a variety of brushes and techniques with watercolors, like dabbing, flicking and dotting.
courtesy Arabella Carter-Johnson
Thula accompanies Iris everywhere -- even on the water. She was trained by Carter-Johnson to wear a harness as a kitten, which helps when Thula travels with them.
Thula accompanies Iris everywhere -- even on the water. She was trained by Carter-Johnson to wear a harness as a kitten, which helps when Thula travels with them.
courtesy Arabella Carter-Johnson
Profits from the sale of her art help pay for Iris' private therapists, art materials and a fund for her future.
Profits from the sale of her art help pay for Iris' private therapists, art materials and a fund for her future.
courtesy Arabella Carter-Johnson
Some of Iris' artwork is featured in a new book her mother wrote that tells their story, "Iris Grace."
Some of Iris' artwork is featured in a new book her mother wrote that tells their story, "Iris Grace."
courtesy Arabella Carter-Johnson
Whether it's art or engaging other interests for a child with autism, Carter-Johnson said that support is key. "The whole family has to be behind what you're trying," she said. "Everyone needs to believe in it."
Whether it's art or engaging other interests for a child with autism, Carter-Johnson said that support is key. "The whole family has to be behind what you're trying," she said. "Everyone needs to believe in it."
courtesy Arabella Carter-Johnson