Ricochet was expected to be a service dog, but she stayed true to herself & chose her own destiny. As a result, she became the only SURFice dog® on the planet who surfs with kids with special needs, people with disabilities, wounded warriors and veterans with PTSD as an assistive aid. It was her idea to do it... and it's pretty much her life purpose. But, it's not just the physical aspect of balancing a surfboard... it's her ability to instantly connect with others on a deep soul level, which fosters healing, empowerment and transformation... thereby balancing lives!
On August 20, 2009, the plan was for Ricochet, and spinal cord injured Patrick Ivison to surf on the same wave, but on their own separate boards. They rode a few waves like that, but then one time, when they got to the beach, she jumped off her surfboard, and onto Patrick's. She was proclaiming to the world... "I want to surf WITH Patrick on the same board. Tandem!" The picture above is the first time she surfed with Patrick.
On August 20, 2009, the plan was for Ricochet, and spinal cord injured Patrick Ivison to surf on the same wave, but on their own separate boards. They rode a few waves like that, but then one time, when they got to the beach, she jumped off her surfboard, and onto Patrick's. She was proclaiming to the world... "I want to surf WITH Patrick on the same board. Tandem!" The picture above is the first time she surfed with Patrick.
RICOCHET [rik-uh-shey] To move in a different direction. Change direction. The motion of rebounding or deflecting.
Everyone put their trust in her, and said "let's try it". And history was made! Since then, she's surfed with hundreds of different people and kids with disabilities. She adjusts her surfing style based on their disability, and gives them the confidence to try something they may have never imagined. Pure joy! Pure stoke!
The term SURFice dog® was trademarked especially for Ricochet, and it's a play on words. You say it the same as "service", but with an emphasis on SURF! She was training to be a service dog, but due to her love of chasing birds, she had to be released from that role. But, with her "think different" approach to the world, she's still helping people with disabilities just in a very different, out-of-the-box way!
She's an internationally renowned, award winning golden retriever surfing dog who has become an inspirational phenomenon, philanthropic role model, internet sensation, fundraising marvel, community advocate, goodwill ambassador, and muse to millions! But, she's just an ordinary dog, with an extra-ordinary spirit.
She's also been raising awareness and funds for human/animal causes. On July 25, 2011, twenty one months after her first adaptive surfing experience... she raised her $100,000th dollar for Patrick the Miracle Dog! Bringing her fundraising journey full circle! She's held over 100 fundraisers, and raised funds/awareness for more than 250 human/animal causes. She's now raised over $500,000... a half million dollars!!!
We wanted her to be a service dog, but she wanted something very different! We wanted her to make a difference in one person's life, but she wanted to make a difference in millions of people's lives! When we let go of who WE wanted her to be, and just let her be... she completely flourished.
