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MY BIO & RUFF'SUME
Name
An
internationally renowned, award winning surf dog
who has become an inspirational phenomenon, philanthropic role model,
internet sensation, fundraising marvel, community
advocate, goodwill ambassador, and muse to
millions! She's the only
known dog in the world that
surfs with special needs kids & people with disabilities as an assistive
aid.
Sex
Breed
Birthdate
Owner/Guardian/Handler
Water Handler
E-mail
Facebook page
Twitter
Phone
Media I've been in
I was born into the Puppy Prodigies Neo Natal & Early Learning Program that trains puppies to become service dogs for people with disabilities. Part of my neo-natal training included balance and coordination exercises as soon as I could walk! At 8 weeks of age, I jumped on a boogie board in a kiddie pool, and have been surfing ever since! At 15 months, I was invited to the Purina Incredible Dog Challenge surf competition. I won 3rd place! It was that day on the beach when mom realized I was good at surfing, and my title changed from service dog to SURFice dog! My firstfundraiser was for Patrick Ivison, a quadriplegic adaptive surfer. The first time we surfed, the plan was to surf the same wave, but on our individual boards. We did that a few times, but then one time when we reached shore, I took a leap of faith (literally), and jumped off my board, and onto his. I saw a lightbulb above mom's head... she was finally understanding what I was born to do! When mom let go of who SHE wanted me to be, and just let me be... I completely flourished. It was like I was re-born that day in the water! I still help people with disabilities, just in a very different way! Since then, I've held over 50 fundraisers, and raised almost $150,000 that benefited over 150 human & animal causes through my Surfin' for Paws-abilities initiative. I've won several fundraising awards, and top dog awards like the American Humane Association's Hero Dog Award, and the ASPCA's Dog of the Year. I've also won surf dog contests. I'm living proof that if you let go of your expectations, and let others be who they truly are... it may turn out better than you could have ever imagined! If you have a dog... a cat... or any other animal... or even a human being, please give them a chance! Give yourself a chance... live your life true to yourself, and not the life others expect of you. Oh, and by the way... as a SURFice dog, I'm allowed to chase birds! Paw-abunga!
I'm best known for my inspirational video that went viral on YouTube,
"From Service dog to SURFice dog", which has
almost 4 million views,
and touched the hearts of people all over the world.
Since the video has gotten so much exposure, I immediately turned it into a platform to help others on a larger scale by re-directing the attention to additional human and animal causes including disabilities, special needs kids, adaptive surfing organizations, arthritis, breast cancer, canine cancer, rescues/shelters, So Cal H2O Rescue Team, Pay It Forward Day, and more. I strive to inspire people to focus on what they CAN do, which allows for a celebration of amazing outcomes. I also encourage people to allow themselves and others to be who they truly are... without judgment or intention to change. I promote kindness, charity, philanthropy, and social responsibility, such as anti-bullying. I was an extra in the movie Marmaduke, and appeared in an MTV program called "Made". I've also been in several documentaries. I, along with three of my surf buddies were photographed riding four dogs on a board, and the picture was featured in Times Square and the Vegas strip! I was also featured in five books that came out in 2011. I've been awarded several top fundraiser awards, several top dog awards, including recognition as a Pet Hero by the USA Today, and presented with the prestigious 2010 AKC Award for Canine Excellence. Visit my Surfin' and Fundraising Awards page for info on all the awards I've won. I surf for fun, and usually end up in the top three in surf dog contests. But, I'm most passionate about the adaptive surfing community of disabled surfers and special needs kids. I often surf tandem with them, helping to counterbalance the board, and I adjust my surfing style to their disability. When I surf with them... I experiences the true Aloha spirit, and I'm totally stoked! For me, it's what surfing is all about! I'm a specially trained dog, with the temperament, and advanced training of a service dog. I'm also a canine good citizen, a certified goal directed therapy dog, and a registered therapy dog. I also work with active duty military member who have PTSD. My guardian/handler, Judy Fridono has an Associates Degree in Assistance Dog Training, and we work closely with my causes to customize protocols for my SURFice dog work. I have several corporate donors, and a number of sponsors. I'm a member of the So Cal Surf Dogs, and Golden SurFURS. I also enjoy dock jumping, ball chasing, digging for gophers, chasing critters, lurecoursing, and BIRDS!
Titles, awards & Honors
Surf Dog Competition
Medals
Additional videos
Fundraisers
For more detailed information, visit my page,
Surfin' for Paws-abilities,
or my Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/SurfDogRicochet
Web design, all content, pictures and videos on this website
are
©copyrighted and strictly prohibited to be used
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