Ayako has been involved in equestrian activities for people with disabilities (Para-equestrian, therapeutic riding, Special Olympics) since 2003 in Japan and the US. As a journalist, she has been to the Paralympics and World Equestrian Games to cover Para-equestrian. Inspired by the riders and coaches she has met, she completed a Master’s in Special Education in 2015 and now holds an Education Specialist teaching credential. Originally from Japan and currently residing in the US, she is bilingual in Japanese and English.