A NEW centre offering animal therapy sessions for children and adults with neuro-sensory conditions is to open in North Ayrshire.

Don’t Stop Me Now CIC, which will specialise in assisted equine therapy for children with Autism, ADD, ADHD, anxiety and Aspergers, will open in Burnhouse on Wednesday, April 6.

Amy McIntyre, an equestrian from Saltcoats who founded Don’t Stop Me Now CIC, saidtold the Herald: “I used to coach children and I love having horses so I wanted to find a way I could put them together. It took me a while to have the confidence to do it.

“We don’t just have horses, though. We’ve got dogs, cats and rabbits because some children get so much more comfort from a smaller animal. A horse can be intimating to a child on their first equine therapy session, so working with a smaller animal can lead them to gaining the confidence to eventually start working with our horses.

“We’re a community interest company and anything we make we will put back into the community. All our money goes back into grant funding places for sessions. We plan to have funded sessions for families who maybe can’t afford it. It also ensures our horses have everything they need.

“Our animals are trained to allow them to take part in sessions and we’ve been speaking to people from the National Autistic Society.”

Ms McIntyre's inspiration for her new therapy centre was the bravery shown by her horse Freddie during a desperate fight for life three years ago. Freddie was showing signs of grass sickness, a disease seen in horses thatwhich is often fatal. He rapidly lost weight and after more than a week at Dick Equine Practice in Edinburgh, his outlook was bleak. It turned out that Freddie had two twigs lodged in his nose and throat and thankfully, vets were able to remove the foreign objects. He subsequently made a full recovery, but it was a long process.

Amy said: “Freddie was really unwell when he was four, not long after we got him. He was in the vets in Edinburgh for eight days fighting for his life. He couldn’t eat his food and his throat was all swollen. Everyone thought he wasn’t going to make it but he pulled through. The vets went above and beyond to ensure his full recovery. It took about a year to get him happy again.

“Because he bounced back – and he’s called Freddie – we called the centre Don’t Stop me Now after the Queen song. Freddie shows that no matter how many set-backs you get in life, you can overcome anything.”

Keeping Freddie company at the new centre is Elsa the Shetland pony and, continuing the Queen topic, a horse called Mercury. As well as horses, there are Kai and Ruby the dogs, resident cats Queenie and Minnie, and Bandit and Flopsy the rabbits. There are also plans to introduce farm animals, such as pygmy goats, in the future.

Jenny Paterson, director of The National Autistic Society Scotland, said: “Research shows that pets can lower stress levels in some families and I have met many autistic people who really feel they benefit from being around animals.

“However Autism is a spectrum condition that affects different people in very different ways. Animal therapy won’t be suitable for all autistic people, particularly those with sensory difficulties."

Don’t Stop Me Now will officially open with a special event on April 6 from 1.30pm to 5pm at its premises on Meikleriggs Farm, Burnhouse. 

Before the grand opening, The centre is holding a family fundraiser and race night on Saturday, March 26 at 7.30pm in Ardrossan Masonic. Tickets are £5 and include a buffet.

For details on the events and about the centre, visit www.facebook.com/DontStopMeNowScotland.