Incredible Surfing Dog Ricochet Inspires Millions
Welcome back!
Rocochet — a golden retriever who was formerly a service dog — has been hitting the waters and internet by storm with people crying out ’tissue alerts’ for her YouTube videos which have inspired millions across the planet. When she’s not out in the surf scene catching the waves on her surfboard to ‘paw it forward’ in raising funds for charity, Ricochet is actively involved in goal assisted therapy work with children.
Left photo Barbara McKown. Right, Ricochet on the red (green) carpet in Hollywood, receiving her Dogswell Wag Award.
Raised to be a service dog for a person with a disability from the moment of her birth as part of the Puppy Prodigies Neo-Natal & Early Learning Program, she began her training at a mere 13 days old — before her eyes were even open.
Her training program involved maneuvering over, under, around, and on top of a plethora of obstacles such as swings, wobble boards, skateboards, and uneven surfaces. As a result, the precious pooch developed an amazing sense of balance and coordination.
Also known on the doggie surf scene as ‘Rip Curl Ricki’ and ‘The Little surFUR Girl,’ she embarked on her surf dog training on a boogie board in a kiddie pool at 8 weeks of age for fun. In September of 2008, she entered the Helen Woodward’s Surf Dog surf-a-thon, but was just a young whelp practicing in the small waves of the ocean at the time.
Sadly, due to her strong passion for chasing birds as she began to mature, Ricochet had to be released from her position as a service dog.
But rather than focusing on what she couldn’t do, her owner focused on what she could do — which was to surf. She switched roles rather instinctively from service dog to ‘SURFice’ dog, and now lives a lifestyle fundraising for charities and raising awareness for human and animal causes with her personal initiative called, “Surfin’ for Paws-abilities.”
Her current focus is to assist the disabled community in her unconventional surfing approach. She has already raised over $30,000 in 8 months, and panting to raise more.
Ricochet began taking small puppy steps to learn surfing in the spring of 2009 at Fiesta Island before taking the giant leap to the ruff waters of the ocean.
She had only practiced in the ocean waters 3 times when she received a call to compete in the Purina Incredible Dog Challenge Surf Competition on June 12, 2009. Ricochet conquered 3rd place in the large dog category, with only 1 point off from making the 2nd place winner.
Ricochet tandem surfing with Patrick Ivison. Photos Diane Edmonds and Barbara McKown
Ricochet surfing with Patrick Ivison.
In August of 2009, Ricochet held her first fundraiser for 15-year-old quadriplegic surfer, Patrick Ivison. She tandem surfed with Patrick, counterbalancing him to prevent Patrick from falling off. Should he take the dive, she’d be right there at his side to rescue him. The Little surFUR Girl raised over $10,000 for Patrick, and her sponsor, the Rose Foundation, awarded a grant to cover 3 years of his physical therapy. Further fundraising will permit amazing things to continue.
Left, Ricochet AKA Patrick’s SURFice dog, Patrick Ivison & his service dog, Kona. Right, Ricochet, Debra Skelton from MadTV (who was the host for the evening), and Patrick Ivison.
On September 13, 2009, she won 1st place in the Helen Woodward Surf Dog Surf-a-thon in the second heat, large dog category, and 2nd place overall.
In September, 2009, she and several of her surf buddies were used as extras for surfing scenes in the Marmaduke Movie.
Surf dog Ricochet & Marmaduke on set
In October of 2009, Ricochet won 1st place in the large dog category at the Surf City Surf Dog contest. She earned the highest score of all dogs in all categories in preliminary heats and proceeded to win 2nd place in the large dog category of the finals.
She won 1st place in the tandem category at the Loews Surf Dog Competition with her littermate, Kalani, in May of 2010.
Most of the dog surfing competitions that Ricochet enters is to benefit animal charities, donating her proceeds to them and making a difference in their lives.
But the buck doesn’t stop there — between donated toys and $3,550 in cash donations, more than 630 children received toys for Christmas in 2009 from her Dog Toy Drive initiative.
Rip Curl Ricki raised $7,462 for six-year-old Ian McFarland who suffered a traumatic brain injury from a horrific car accident that claimed the lives of his parents, which helped to cover his therapies.
She participated in a virtual walk for K9 cancer, and raised $1,800 for the Morris Animal Foundation, for which she was awarded the top fundraiser — an award she also received after raising $5,580 during an arthritis campaign.
Left, Ricochet sporting her faux fur mink stole and pearls on the red carpet. Right, Ricochet and her guardian, Judy Fridono.
On February 18, 2010, she received the Dogswell ‘Wag’ award on for ‘most charitable dog.’ One of the prizes was a year’s supply of Dogswell dog food that Ricochet donated to the AniMeals program at the Helen Woodward Animal Center.
Ricochet accepting her award from Marco Giannini, Founder & CEO of Dogswell
Ricochet, Patrick Ivison & Marco Giannini
The Little surFUR Girl is also making a difference through her Surfin’ for Paws-abilities initiative which benefits individuals and athletes with disabilities, adaptive surfers, individual pets, and many other causes.
All told, Ricochet has raised about $30,000 in an 8-month period, and continues to fundraise and accept donations for her causes.
Ricochet the SURFice Dog
This inspirational video is about surf dog Ricochet, the healing power of the ocean and the healing power of one very special dog. It’s touched millions of lives all over the world, bringing them to tears. People are tweeting, facebooking and posting with kleenex alerts.
Ricochet Surfs with Brain Injured 6-year-old Ian
Ricochet helps 6-year-old Ian who used to surf with his dad, but after his injury was somewhat scared to get back on a surfboard. Here you see how Ricochet turned his fear into excitement, getting him back on a surfboard and surfing with her.
Ricochet continues to make a difference and inspire people to realize — anything is possible!
For further info visit Surf Dog Ricochet, or join her Facebook page.
Images property and copyright of Puppy Prodigies.
This article is dedicated in loving memory to our own cherished ‘rescue dog’ Daisy, who saved my heart and soul on countless occasions during her lifetime.
Tags:animals charities dog dog training dogs features pets puppies puppy Ricochet surf dog surfing surfing dog
This is very heart warming. Dogs truly are men’s best friend
yes! dogs are very loyal. they are also the best friends.
). one of them prefer to to jogging with me every morning. you know! i feel more safely any time he stay close to me.
I have two dogs at home now…they are so great..and meaningful to me.
I love dogs!
I have a yellow lab at home. He is only two, and still a bit of a trouble maker. You know, puppy phase still, but he is such a good companion.
Have you heard that having a pet reduces stress?
Totally agree with you dog man’s best friend!
thanks for a great blog.
Wow….this is really heart touching story..really does reflect on my own dog…very loyal and my best friedn ever….i love my dog
very nice post!
Yeah dogs are mans best friend. We have nine dogs at
home! Unfortunately, 2 suddenly turned against me so I keep them permanently locked when I am at home.
Nice story though.
What amazing dogs! In my opinion Dogs truly are men’s best friend..
Ah, such a sweet story.
My dog is my best friend too.
What I love about dogs is: That they express thier feelings imediately just like young kids or babys… and hey who doesn`t love kids?
thanks for a great blog.
i feel like i want to surf now lolz
I just love dog stories. Now where can I get a dog like that?
Thanks for sharing.
I like dogs very much, I think sometimes the dogs know what people thinking, and they are very trustiness for people.
How it possible? wow Dog – best friend.
Well behaved and good natured dog can be atained with the right dog school.
obedience school for dogs
So glad to drop by on this post. I agree that we should start the dog training the time that will going to have one on the house. This is indeed an inspiring post.
lovely. after watching the video, i miss my dog.
Dogs are men’s best friend ! we are like he .dogs give help with old man and woman .the small dogs very lovely .i like it .i don’t know the dogs if love me !heyhey !