For eight-year-old Nacey, living with ADHD and autism comes with a lot of big emotions. But when Rocky the rescue cat padded into the family home, no one expected he would become a source of calm in a world that can feel overwhelming.

Rocky found his way into Nacey’s life purely by chance. He had been dumped on a friend’s farm when he was just seven weeks old, leaving Nacey’s mum, Jorja, compelled to step in and offer some temporary shelter. But while Rocky was intended to be a short-term guest, his soothing effect on Nacey made him impossible to part with.

“I agreed to take him in for a short time, just to help out. I told myself we weren’t keeping him, but Rocky captured our hearts. Rocky was the calmest and most affectionate little kitten I’d ever met. There was something special about him … something gentle and comforting. My eight-year-old son Nacey noticed it straight away.”

Jorja, mum to eight-year-old Nacey

Nacey has ADHD and is on the autism spectrum, so sometimes he struggles with big emotions and overwhelming moments. From the beginning, he felt a strong connection to Rocky, which Jorja attributes not just to Rocky’s gentle, soothing nature, but also to the fact that he shares a name with Nacey’s favourite Paw Patrol character.

Since his arrival, Rocky has become an essential part of Nacey’s daily routine. Over the past 18 months, he’s been a constant source of calm and comfort during meltdowns, stressful moments and especially at bedtimes.

“Somehow, Rocky always seems to know when he’s needed. He’ll quietly walk into the room, curl up next to Nacey, and just be there. Most nights, he sleeps right beside him, helping Nacey settle and drift off peacefully. Rocky is not just a pet to us. He brings structure and safety to our home, and he’s helped us all feel more connected. In many ways, he has become our therapy cat.”

Jorja, mum to eight-year-old Nacey

Nacey and Jorja aren’t alone in realising the lasting positive effects of cats in supporting neurodivergent children. While research into animal-assisted support for children with autism is still evolving, a growing body of studies points to the unique benefits of feline companionship.

Some of the key findings include:

• Increased motivation and responsibility – Caring for a cat helped individuals with autism feel more engaged in daily life, understand others’ needs more deeply, and develop routines, such as feeding, that supported broader life skills.
• Social and emotional support – Cats were consistently found to reduce anxiety around others, encourage communication and foster empathy and trust.
• Calming and self-regulation benefits – The act of stroking a cat or listening to it purr was shown to help reduce anxiety and promote emotional control, particularly during stressful times.

Organisations such as The Cat Protection Society of Victoria play a huge role in giving cats like Rocky the opportunity to thrive and helping families find the companions they didn’t even know they needed.

“Rocky hasn’t only supported my son, but he’s brought our whole family closer together. Every day, he reminds us how powerful the bond between animals and people can be. Although dogs are looked at as the key companion animal, cats are amazing creatures that can be quite low-maintenance. There are many cats at shelters waiting for their forever homes. I am so glad Rocky now has his forever home with us.”

Jorja, mum to eight-year-old Nacey

Have you welcomed a rescue cat into your life? Leave us a comment below.