Flow's Story

Flow was created with the idea of assisting and guiding people through the principles of (systemic) coaching by using (wolf)dogs as co-coaches. Almost literally looking through the eyes of the pack applying its knowledge in people's lives; that natural instinct of life that asks for movement, for a flow.

Tahira Tarquini Flow Coaching and Training

Hi! My name is Tahira and this is the story of my Flow journey, and the Flow pack, made of furry and feathered members.

By introducing my first wolfdog Kira in my other job where I work organising youth exchanges with youngsters coming from different types of backgrounds, I realised that Kira was a big help to those youngsters who had difficulty to open up; she was a bridge between those youngsters and their will to take a step forward. As simple as it might sound, it really showed me how strong and how powerful a dog presence could be related to creating a bond with people, communicating and interacting with them.

I was already aware of the numerous benefits that animals can bring when they help people rehabilitating not only physically but also emotionally, or assisting people to get through their daily lives, therefore when I started experiencing it myself with the exchange youngsters I decided that with Flow I could also give my contribution in this field.

I have a study background in Bachelor Equine Business and Economics at Van Hall Larenstein, where the element of coaching and of dealing with different clients and personalities is a daily tackled issue and for which reason I followed the Minor of Positive Psychology at Groningen University. Furthermore, when I organise International Youth Exchanges together with my team, coaching and communication techniques are applied continuously, which teaches me a lot regarding adaptability, flexibility and understanding. It is a continuous conducting process amongst the youngsters and the team.

For me, learning never stops and animals never stop teaching. I started my path in Animal Assisted Services (AAS) in 2017, with the Dog Assisted Coaching course. That was the start of this path for me, which led me to follow several other courses regarding animal behaviours, training, AAS and more!

In 2019 I came in contact with the first draft of the PADA (Personality Assessment for Domestic Animals) test with Kira, which she passed (besides passing others tests. She truly was brilliant at work) during the AAS camp in Poland, where I met several practitioners and professionals in AAS from several countries, opening my eyes about AAS and its possibilities, not only with dogs but with all domestic species. Passing the PADA test with her made me very proud, not many passed it, and I had a wolfdog that did it. At the same time, it also brought me pain, because I realised that the other dog who I had bought and trained for this work, actually was not suitable, and I had to let go of all my beliefs and expectations and realise that I would not make him happy doing this work, even if he would have done it for me. That realisation took months of processing, avoidance, frustration, disappointment, realisation and embrace of reality. And when I embraced reality and invested in things that Charu really enjoyed doing, thinking about what he wanted and not what I wanted, I never saw Charu thriving as much as then. The way I can see him now also brings calmness to both of us, and it is ok like this. This helped me understanding what several owners go through when their dogs do not pass a test, or are told that their dogs are not suitable.

It motivated me wanting to be on the side of the tests, because I saw on first hand the impact that it can have on a dog - or on any animal - to insert it only because we want to, or we believe it should be. The thought of doing something great can blind reason and the flow of things. I then started my journey in PADA, first as a team member, together with my other Dutch colleagues, and eventually as an Evaluator.

These experiences are what led me in testing my chicken Rosina and cat Shani (they undertook the PADA test as well), this time keeping an open mind, being mor aware of my expectations and also mor honest with myself firstly, also observing characters as objective as I could, and not with the glasses of what I wanted to see. Both passed the test, and they are now also part of the Flow pack.

Kira is now retired, she join lectures and workshops, however, AAS sessions are done with Rosina and Shani.

Courses I have followed:

Certified course of Dog Assisted Coaching at Pets4Care
Cynological Instructor's course at Happy Tails
Course for Pet Therapy at Happy Tails
Training regarding preparation of human dog teams in dog assisted intervention and therapy (Poland, subsidised by Erasmus+)
Wind Opleiding: Horse Assisted Systemic Coaching at Wind Organisatieontwikkeling
PADA course for technician and leader at ICofA
PADA course for Evaluator (for cats and dogs) at ICofA
Do As I Do with cats
Cats in AAS at ICofA

The Flow pack

Shani

Shani is an European Shorthair and lives with 2 other cats of ours. He loves to discover new places and if there are people around, even better!

Rosina

Rosina is a Serama hen. She lives with other 5 hens and a rooster. She loves cuddles on the head, so much that she will fall asleep.

Canto, Kira, Charu and Kaoui

Three Czechoslovakian Wolfdogs and an American Wolfdog. Kira is the senior lady leading the pack of gentlemen.

Professionally tested

Each animal inserted in Animal Assisted Services (AAS) at Flow is PADA tested. Regardless of the test's result, I choose for responsible screening of the animals I insert to work with other people. Even if the animal doesn't pass, I stand behind the choice of professional screening.

PADA does not forbid to insert an animal that doesn't pass the test. It does not recommend the animal for further training in AAS. Still, should I have an animal which I believe has the potential to undertake the test and therefore interact with people, I opt for testing it. I believe that as a professional and owner it is my responsibility to have an objective screening of its personality besides my own opinion.

Cooperation with