Shellie’s Project is planning to develop a national primary school, recognised by the Department of Education and Skills (D.E.S.), devoted to children with autism and special abilities, which will incorporate Horse therapy along with the techniques and methods learned during her teacher training in Mary Immaculate College. Combining the two will present a whole new approach to educating children with special abilities, in a more interesting, suitable and enjoyable manner.
Shellie has seen some remarkable changes in children on the autism spectrum while riding with them. This along with research to date and other anecdotal evidence led her to the view that the horse connection needs further research and she hopes to this achieve this as part of the project.
Davnet Kiernan O’Brien is Shellie’s partner on this project and shares the same enthusiasm and passion for this vision. Davnet and her husband Cyril owners of the Clonlara Equestrian Centre, an A.I.R.E. approved yard have over 25 years’ experience working with horses and children with special abilities.
The SHELLIE Project is now collaborating with Brunel University in London and the University of Limerick. The principal individuals are Prof Ian Sutherland, Professor of Bioprocess Engineering and Dr. Christina Michailidou Specialist Physiotherapist in Graded Exercise Therapy at King’s College London and Dr Tara Dalton B.Eng Ph.D. and Dr Eric Dalton BSc PhD from the Stokes Institute in University of Limerick. Brunel University have developed and given on loan to Clonlara Equestrian Centre, BABS (Brunel Active Balance System) a mechanical horse that replicates the motion of a horse in walk.