Pets can be transformational for people with autism. Per AutismAwarenessCentre.com, "An animal can provide companionship, friendship, reduce loneliness and alleviate anxiety." This was certainly the case for 18-year-old Morgan Roseberry, who became incredibly close with his family's cat for over 10 years, Tabby. Speaking to the Metro, his mom Cyndi said: "[Morgan] found an unquestioning, nonjudgmental companion in Tabby. "She was skittish and solitary when she first arrived, but within a short period of time (and his attention), she became loving and affectionate, especially with Morgan." Sadly, Tabby died back in September 2019. However, for his 18th birthday, Morgan's family was able to surprise him with another furry feline friend. Watch the incredibly emotional moment below: [[jwplayerwidget||https://content.jwplatform.com/videos/zrxW2Z7D-izxriqNH.mp4||zrxW2Z7D]] "On the morning of the party his two older sisters when to the rescue site to select the most appropriate companion for him," Cyndi said. "They found the perfect little girl and took her to his oldest sister’s house to hang out and wait for the big reveal." In the video, Morgan can be seen being handed cat treats and supplies before the big reveal, to which he asks his family: "Did you get me a cat?" Morgan is then presented with a cat box containing a small kitten, which immediately brings him to tears. After being told that he would be able to name her, Morgan calls his new companion Vitani - after a character in The Lion King movies. When Morgan was three years old, he was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Cyndi said: "He couldn’t have a back and forth conversation. After extensive testing he was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome, a condition within the autism spectrum." Speaking about the video, Cyndi says: "We NEVER expected his video to get the response it has. We are still in disbelief about how many people have watched and shared it. "Our family’s hope is that our happiness at experiencing Morgan’s joy will bring a smile to people who witness it. "We also hope that it can open up a discussion about (and with) people on the autism spectrum, the differences and abilities they have and how much they truly have to offer." We hope Morgan and Vitani share a long and happy friendship together!

Autistic teen whose cat died cries tears of joy after being gifted a new kitten

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