For Iris Grace Halmshaw, the world was a lonely place. The autistic five-year-old girl tried to speak, and she was often thrown into pain by the world around her. She filled her days with painting, and nothing could quite change this situation. Until, that was, a cat called Thula came along. The pair are now inseparable . Iris' parents believe the gentle cat is helping their little girl communicate with others, as well as influencing her works of art. In the beginning, they thought it was just _ , but now they believe Iris is expressing her love for Thula through her painting. Mother said, "When Iris is painting, Thula is told by her to "sit down" if she jumps up onto the table. She stays there, watching Iris with great interest, sometimes wanting to play with the brushes, but mostly just patiently watching." And the pair's bond doesn't end there. Thula is at Iris' side for every part of her life. The pair's closeness is having an effect on Iris' relationships with others, and her parents find it easier to encourage her to talk to others. After researching the advantages of animal therapy for autistic children, the couple had tried introducing Iris to horses, dogs and even other cats with no success --- but things changed when Thula came to live with the family. During weeks, the cat was helping to comfort the little girl in times of stress. Mother said, "It was as if they were old friends from the day they met. Thanks to Thula, new doorways to communication and feelings are opening and Iris is happier than ever before."[:Zxxk.Com]
What was Iris's last name?
How was she different?
What changed her life?
What was its name?
Do they spend a lot of time together?
Is the cat aggressive?
Do Iris's parents think the cat is good for her?
How so?
What kind of art?
What does the cat do when she's painting?
Does Iris like other animals?
Where does Thula live?
What other animals did Iris meet?
How old was Iris?
What was her middle name?
Without Thula, how did Iris feel?
When did the cat comfort her?
Did they like each other when they first met?
What does Iris tell the cat when she gets onto the table?
Does Thula leave Iris for parts of the day?
What's easier for Iris now?
How does Iris feel now?
Why did Iris and Thula meet?
Why did they want to do that?
What did Iris do to spend her time?
Halmshaw
Halmshaw
She was autistic
The autistic five-year-old girl
She met a cat
nothing could quite change this situation. Until, that was, a cat called Thula came along
Thula
a cat called Thula came along.
Yes
The pair are now inseparable 
No
Iris' parents believe the gentle cat 
Yes
Iris' parents believe the gentle cat is helping their little girl communicate with others
It helps her communicate with others and influences her art
Iris' parents believe the gentle cat is helping their little girl communicate with others, as well as influencing her works of art.
Painting
they believe Iris is expressing her love for Thula through her painting. 
Mostly just watching
She stays there, watching Iris with great interest, sometimes wanting to play with the brushes, but mostly just patiently watching."
No
After researching the advantages of animal therapy for autistic children, the couple had tried introducing Iris to horses, dogs and even other cats with no success
With the family
 Thula came to live with the family.
horses, dogs and even other cats
the couple had tried introducing Iris to horses, dogs and even other cats
Five
The autistic five-year-old girl
Grace
Iris Grace Halmshaw,
She was in pain
 she was often thrown into pain by the world around her.
In times of stress
During weeks, the cat was helping to comfort the little girl in times of stress. 
Yes
t was as if they were old friends from the day they met.
"Sit down"
When Iris is painting, Thula is told by her to "sit down" if she jumps up onto the table.
No
Thula is at Iris' side for every part of her life.
talking to others
her parents find it easier to encourage her to talk to others.
Iris is happier than ever before
Iris is happier than ever before
Iris's parents were trying animal therapy
After researching the advantages of animal therapy for autistic children, the couple had tried introducing Iris to horses, dogs and even other cats with no success --- but things changed when Thula came to live with the family.
They researched the advantages of animal therapy for autistic children
After researching the advantages of animal therapy for autistic children,
She painted
She filled her days with painting