Ricochet was trained to help and inspire kids with disabilities how to surf by riding waves with them.
Ricochet the golden retriever is the world’s first SURFice dog, helping people with mental and physical difficulties take to the water for a spot of surfing
For those people who want to learn how to surf but suffer from a disability, there is one ‘teacher’ with great results.
But she doesn’t wear a wetsuit, board shorts or sun block.
Ricochet the golden retriever is the world’s first SURFice dog, who helps people with mental and physical disabilities to surf – by riding the waves alongside them.
She may have been rejected as a service dog for chasing too many birds and not paying attention, but her trainers knew she showed potential from the start.
The award-winning seven-year-old pooch loves surfing so much that she does it whenever she can, with other dogs and even goats.
Point bark: Ricochet the dog helps people with disabilities learn how to surf
Her owner Judy Fridono said: “Since Ricochet was a puppy I wanted her to be a service dog and help those less fortunate.
“I raised her as part of the non-profit Puppy Prodigies, an organisation that trains service dogs.
Hang pooch: Ricochet is the world’s first SURFice dog
“But she had ideas of her own – she was always chasing birds and under-performing so we found her a new purpose.
“When she was eight weeks old she was in a kiddie pool and there was a boogie board in it – she was able to climb on the boogie board by herself so it was all her idea.”
Swell Stuff: The golden retriever helps people with mental and physical disabilities
Ricochet started her training as a service dog the moment she was born, learning how to look after someone with a physical disability.
Since her trainers found his special talent – an amazing ability to ride a surfboard – she has helped people with autism, one leg and even no arms to ride some waves.
Decent pedigree: Ricochet started training as a service dog at an early age
Her owner’s aim is for Ricochet to make people feel better about themselves and focus on the positive things in life.
Surf Dog Ricochet is the only SURFice dog on the planet that interacts and surfs with kids with special needs, people with disabilities, wounded warriors & veterans with PTSD as an assist aid and paws-on healer.
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Paws for thought: The pooch inspires people to take to the waves
Judy said: “When we put her on the surfboard it was amazing she could stand up straight and had incredible skill.
“One day at the beach, she jumped on a surfboard with a 14-year-old boy who had spinal cord injuries.
Radical: Ricochet is an award-winning surfing dog
“It was that moment that her life purpose to surf with people who are disabled was realized.
“She’s just such an inspiration to everyone – she’s got such a strong connection to people and we see such improvements in the people who she surfs with.” Watch the video here
To follow Ricochet on her journey visit www.surfdogricochet.com.
source:mirror.co.uk