Some people wonder how Ricochet is able to be on beaches or other public places. Is she a service dog or not? Well, because she's such an out-of-the-box thinker, and we're willing to listen, she has many different roles.
She's a service dog when she's working with a person who is disabled like a veteran with PTSD or a child with autism. She's a SURFice dog® when she's surfing with people, kids or veterans with disabilities. She's a therapy dog when she's representing the organizations that registered and certified her.
The reason she has so many roles is because she's had significant training through our non-profit, Puppy Prodigies. Our organization was founded to raise and train service dogs. Ricochet's guardian, Judy Fridono is the Executive Director and has a degree in assistance dog training from Bergin Institute of Canine Studies. She has also been a certified dog trainer and has attended many canine education seminars.
As such, Ricochet was extensively trained as a therapy dog and service dog for over two years. She wasn't placed with an individual with a disability because at the time, we didn't really think about psychiatric disabilities. A mistake, for sure because she could have been placed with an able bodied veteran with PTSD. Unfortunately, once we realized how effective she was with this population, she was too old to be placed. But, none-the-less, it turned out better, and she's able to help many individuals instead of just one. When a person with a disability is handling her, and she's providing the specific tasks she was trained to do to mitigate their disability... she's a service dog.
But in 2009, it was Ricochet's decision to jump on a surfboard with 14 year old Patrick Ivison, who is quadriplegic that allowed her to show everyone what her life purpose is. Puppy Prodigies honored her path and created the unique role of SURFice dog® for her. So, she's allowed on beaches and other public places because of her, and Puppy Prodigies service dog credentials. We also abide by the California law that requires service dogs to wear the state issued assistance dog tag.
Ricochet is also a registered therapy dog with Alliance of Therapy Dogs (previously known as Therapy Dogs Inc). She's a certified goal directed therapy dog with Paws'itive Teams. And she has the highest therapy dog title (Distinguised) with the AKC. She also won several awards including, but not limited to the American Kennel Club's Award for Canine Excellence, the ASPCA Dog of the Year and the American Humane Association Hero Dog Award.
She has hundreds and hundreds of hours working with people with disabilities, kids with special needs, wounded warriors and veterans with PTSD. So her experience and expertise is solid. She takes her SURFice job very seriously. You will rarely see her smiling on the surfboard. She seems to feel like she's responsible for whoever is on the board with her. You can get an idea of that through this quick, 20 second slow motion video. You will see that 8 year old West who has autism and Ricochet jumped off the board as it neared shore. Ricochet didn't take her eyes of him until he made eye contact with her. Even though it was just a second of eye contact, he assured Ricochet that he was fine, and she was able to run to the beach.
As such, Ricochet was extensively trained as a therapy dog and service dog for over two years. She wasn't placed with an individual with a disability because at the time, we didn't really think about psychiatric disabilities. A mistake, for sure because she could have been placed with an able bodied veteran with PTSD. Unfortunately, once we realized how effective she was with this population, she was too old to be placed. But, none-the-less, it turned out better, and she's able to help many individuals instead of just one. When a person with a disability is handling her, and she's providing the specific tasks she was trained to do to mitigate their disability... she's a service dog.
But in 2009, it was Ricochet's decision to jump on a surfboard with 14 year old Patrick Ivison, who is quadriplegic that allowed her to show everyone what her life purpose is. Puppy Prodigies honored her path and created the unique role of SURFice dog® for her. So, she's allowed on beaches and other public places because of her, and Puppy Prodigies service dog credentials. We also abide by the California law that requires service dogs to wear the state issued assistance dog tag.
Ricochet is also a registered therapy dog with Alliance of Therapy Dogs (previously known as Therapy Dogs Inc). She's a certified goal directed therapy dog with Paws'itive Teams. And she has the highest therapy dog title (Distinguised) with the AKC. She also won several awards including, but not limited to the American Kennel Club's Award for Canine Excellence, the ASPCA Dog of the Year and the American Humane Association Hero Dog Award.
She has hundreds and hundreds of hours working with people with disabilities, kids with special needs, wounded warriors and veterans with PTSD. So her experience and expertise is solid. She takes her SURFice job very seriously. You will rarely see her smiling on the surfboard. She seems to feel like she's responsible for whoever is on the board with her. You can get an idea of that through this quick, 20 second slow motion video. You will see that 8 year old West who has autism and Ricochet jumped off the board as it neared shore. Ricochet didn't take her eyes of him until he made eye contact with her. Even though it was just a second of eye contact, he assured Ricochet that he was fine, and she was able to run to the beach.
Cori and our canine-assisted swimming credentials
Cori received her canine-good citizen certificate when she was 15 weeks old. She has gone on to become a certified goal directed therapy dog with Paws'itive Teams, and a registered therapy dog with Alliance of Therapy Dogs. In addition, her handler Judy and surf instructor Jodi from Special Fishies took the "swimming with autism" course by Aqua Pro's.
And of course, the amazing water rescue dog training they all received from SICS - Squadra Italiana Cani Salvataggio - Scuola Italiana Cani Salvataggio.
Five days of water rescue training in both the pool and ocean. After completion they received a certificate, but the best part was our canine-assisted swimming program being endorsed by Ferruccio Pilenga and his dog Mas who started the SICS program.
The swim instructor we've collaborated with for our canine-assisted swimming program is Jodi Powell from Special Fishes Aquatic Freedom and Education. Jodi has 20 years of skills as a lifeguard and instructor, degree in psychology specializing in children and adolescents from Southern Illinois University. Jodi is Water Safety Instructor Certified, Lifeguard Certified, and First Responder CPR/First Aid Certified.
And of course, the amazing water rescue dog training they all received from SICS - Squadra Italiana Cani Salvataggio - Scuola Italiana Cani Salvataggio.
Five days of water rescue training in both the pool and ocean. After completion they received a certificate, but the best part was our canine-assisted swimming program being endorsed by Ferruccio Pilenga and his dog Mas who started the SICS program.
The swim instructor we've collaborated with for our canine-assisted swimming program is Jodi Powell from Special Fishes Aquatic Freedom and Education. Jodi has 20 years of skills as a lifeguard and instructor, degree in psychology specializing in children and adolescents from Southern Illinois University. Jodi is Water Safety Instructor Certified, Lifeguard Certified, and First Responder CPR/First Aid Certified.
Laws & liability
The American’s With Disabilities Act states that only service dogs have public access rights. In the event someone misrepresents their dog as a service dog, the owner could face jail time and/or a $1000 fine. If a dog attends an event where dogs aren’t allowed, there is also the risk of the venue losing permits with the city.
We've been asked if a therapy dog title would cover other dogs who may want to try this work. It would not. Even if a dog became a therapy dog, the insurance they provide would only cover their venues like hospitals or nursing homes. It would not cover venues that aren’t theirs. Plus therapy dogs don’t have public access rights to be on beaches that don’t allow dogs. It’s unlikely an insurance company would cover a dog in a place where they aren’t allowed. As far as homeowners insurance, they may cover your dog for things like a fall caused by your dog, but if you are putting others at risk with your dog like surfing does, it would be questionable that they would cover something like that. It's worth a shot at contacting them and explaining in detail just what your dog will be doing, and if they'll cover the liability if something happens.
Ricochet is covered under the insurance of our service dog training program, Puppy Prodigies. Any time she surfs, whether it’s with someone who is disabled, a special needs child, or able bodied individuals, our insurance specifically covers her, the participant and our volunteers.
Ricochet has had a LOT of training in all aspects of the roles she works in. So has our Executive Director, handlers, our volunteers and others who support us. It's taken many hours and many years of experience and expertise.
We are advocates for legitimate service dogs. There are too many fake service dogs out there right now that are making it bad for everyone. We don't approve of those who impersonate service dogs or try to maneuver the laws. It's best that you don't create legal, safety or ethical problems for anyone, and just follow the rules.
Ricochet is in a very unique position because of her background, our non-profit, the credentials of our entire team, our insurance, and the fact that she followed her own path.
We've been asked if a therapy dog title would cover other dogs who may want to try this work. It would not. Even if a dog became a therapy dog, the insurance they provide would only cover their venues like hospitals or nursing homes. It would not cover venues that aren’t theirs. Plus therapy dogs don’t have public access rights to be on beaches that don’t allow dogs. It’s unlikely an insurance company would cover a dog in a place where they aren’t allowed. As far as homeowners insurance, they may cover your dog for things like a fall caused by your dog, but if you are putting others at risk with your dog like surfing does, it would be questionable that they would cover something like that. It's worth a shot at contacting them and explaining in detail just what your dog will be doing, and if they'll cover the liability if something happens.
Ricochet is covered under the insurance of our service dog training program, Puppy Prodigies. Any time she surfs, whether it’s with someone who is disabled, a special needs child, or able bodied individuals, our insurance specifically covers her, the participant and our volunteers.
Ricochet has had a LOT of training in all aspects of the roles she works in. So has our Executive Director, handlers, our volunteers and others who support us. It's taken many hours and many years of experience and expertise.
We are advocates for legitimate service dogs. There are too many fake service dogs out there right now that are making it bad for everyone. We don't approve of those who impersonate service dogs or try to maneuver the laws. It's best that you don't create legal, safety or ethical problems for anyone, and just follow the rules.
Ricochet is in a very unique position because of her background, our non-profit, the credentials of our entire team, our insurance, and the fact that she followed her own path.
Safety
Safety is our priority both in and out of the water. Our water team is made up of skilled and experienced water men and women with a background in disabilities and special needs. Depending on the individual’s disability, the number of water helpers can be anywhere from 2 to 14. We ensure that each individual has equipment that fits their needs. Our dogs are highly trained service dogs, emotional support dogs and therapy dogs.
