‘Just being there is enough.’

Ayla means moonlight and/or halo in Arabic. To us, it represents a connection with the stars and the infinite universe. For more than fifteen and a half years, she enriched our lives. Together we shared beautiful moments as well as difficult times. Through it all, she remained the same Ayla: loving, sensitive, strong, and loyal. Ayla was my first dog, yet she was so much more than that.

Without realising it at the time, coaching with dogs truly began with Ayla. Together we visited the small primary school in the Zak van Zuid-Beveland, where I worked as a teacher. Ayla brought calm, joy, and connection. During breaks, she played hide-and-seek with the children or stood in goal as their goalkeeper. Just as special were the moments when children who were feeling sad found comfort simply by being with her.

To me, Ayla symbolises perseverance. At the same time, she knew exactly how to set her own boundaries. Her strength and zest for life continue to inspire me to this day.
She was always alert while radiating an incredible sense of calm. Ayla helped me make my own life choices and became my light during difficult times. Together, she brought me back to what truly matters: enjoying life’s simple moments, like walking together along the beach.

Throughout my Coaching with Dogs training, Ayla was by my side every step of the way. She was present during my very first coaching sessions and touched the lives of many people. Not because she had a task to perform or because she had to work, but simply because she was Ayla.
To this day, I remain deeply grateful for everything she taught me. Even though she is no longer here, she continues to inspire both my life and my coaching.

She was the first.
The sweetest.
The most sensitive.
The bravest.