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Cat helps boy with selective mutism say ‘I love you’ for first time

Lorcan Dillon, 7, suffers from an anxiety disorder known as selective mutism, which leaves him unable to communicate with classmates and makes it difficult for him to express affection toward his family.

His mother, Jayne, bought a Cream Birman cat into their Manchester, home two years ago. Lorcan and the cat, named Jessi-Cat, quickly became inseparable. And because of their close relationship, Lorcan is starting to communicate with others — and can finally say "I love you."

"The reason why we have got Jessi-Cat is because pets and cats in particular I think are very good with children with special needs or autism or anything like that, and it's a way for Lorcan to communicate," Jayne said in a video interview with Cats Protection.

"Lorcan does speak at home with his family, but still finds it hard to show his emotions to them — he can't say "I love you" to his mum."

Lorcan suffers from selective mutism, a condition that makes communicating with others difficult. While he does speak at home, he didn't verbalize his emotions until he starting cuddling with Jessi-Cat, talking to her and telling her he loves her.

"Lorcan was diagnosed when he started nursery school at three and a half. The staff were concerned because he wouldn't speak to any of the adults and most of the children," Jayne said in the video.

"Lorcan can find it very hard to express himself yet he can be himself around Jessi-Cat and finds it very easy to talk to her. She is always interested in what he's doing and that unconditional love she has for him has been a huge boost to his confidence."

Lorcan and Jessi-Cat are "Best Friends" category finalists in the Cats Protection UK National Cat Awards. If they win, Jessi-Cat will be eligible to win the National Cat of the Year title.

"We think all cats are special, but Jessi-Cat especially deserved a place in the final for showing what an incredible impact cats have on the lives of people of all ages," Kate Bunting, the awards organizer at Cats Protection, told the Mirror.

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