Kitty see, kitty do: cat imitates human, in first scientific demonstration of behavior
The whole concept of trying to get animals to act like us is missing the point. Scientists particularly in the U.S. need to realize that we ARE ANIMALS and look for similarities in this case in learning and behavior. Any cat owner knows cats learn easily. I see no reason they can not learn to imitate us with a little encouragement. They are animals after all.