SUPERPOWER DOGS
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If you're a museum and would like to collaborate with Ricochet for promotions, sensory friendly showings and more, please visit her Museum Collaboration Page.
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Starring Surf Dog Ricochet |
Free screenings
Sometimes Ricochet hosts free screenings. Please go to the Free Screenings page to view current flyers of free events.
Sensory Friendly Showings
Sensory friendly showings are for kids with autism, special needs, disabilities, adaptive athletes or other challenges.
Click here for more info.
Click here for more info.
Sensory friendly showings are in 2D, so no special glasses are necessary. The lights are left on, and the sound turned down. There are also quiet rooms if needed. If you're a surf therapy organization, or the parent of a child with autism or other special need, and would like to see the film in a sensory friendly theater, please email pawispired@aol.com or go to https://www.surfdogricochet.com/sensoryscreenings.html for more info.
Surf Therapy, Healing & Adaptive Surfing
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Ricochet’s sequence showcases her canine-assisted surf therapy, paws-on healing, and how she balances boards… and lives! It focuses on her ability to empower and enrich the well-being of veterans with PTSD and children with special needs through the healing power of the ocean, and the healing power of a dog.
Ricochet’s emotional healing is told through the experiences of her co-stars, Staff Sergeant Persons B. Griffith IV Ret (Griff), a Marine combat veteran with PTSD, and Jodi Powell, the mother of seven year old Logan who has sensory processing disorder. Griff was paired one-on-one with a Logan for a day of canine-assisted surf therapy and emotional healing. It has been found that being of service to another individual provides a sense of self-worth. To that end, Griff gains new purpose by mentoring and encouraging Logan to overcome his fears of the ocean by surfing with Ricochet. Logan also benefits by gaining his own personal military hero, and he becomes more confident, social and of course, empowered! As Griff and Logan interact, it becomes clear how much more alike they are than different. This young boy and this marine… held hostage by their inner turmoil. They both battle an invisible challenge, but surf therapy empowers them both. Ricochet, a registered and certified goal-directed therapy dog who works with kids with special needs and veterans with PTSD. She is also on Team USA Adaptive surf team. She became the first-ever canine-assisted surf therapy dog in 2009 when she jumped on the surfboard of a boy who is quadriplegic. She is one of five dogs in the film. The other four include Henry, an avalanche rescue dog, Reef, a water rescue dog, Halo, a search and rescue dog and Tipper/Tony who sniff out poachers in South Africa. All these dogs rescue individuals in physical trauma. Ricochet, on the other paw, rescues people from emotional trauma, such as PTSD. |
The film, narrated by Chris Evans (Captain America), takes audiences on an immersive IMAX® adventure around the globe to experience the life-saving superpowers and extraordinary bravery of some of the world’s most amazing dogs. These remarkable dogs save lives through rescue missions, emotional support, and sniffing out crime.
To learn more about the surf therapy and emotional healing that is highlighted in the film, go to our Waves of Empowerment page.
To learn more about the surf therapy and emotional healing that is highlighted in the film, go to our Waves of Empowerment page.
Find a theater
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Want a pawtographed sticker of Ricochet's paw?
Donate $5 or more and you can get one for your book!
Donate $5 or more and you can get one for your book!
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Surf Dog Ricochet is one of the cast members of the IMAX film, Superpower Dogs! Her segment was filmed in April of 2018. The film premieres March of 2019.
From the Superpower Dogs website... Dogs have been saving and helping humans for tens of thousands of years, but their heroic achievements and remarkable abilities are little known. Specially designed giant screen 3D cameras and visceral computer graphics will allow audiences to experience the world as never before: through the eyes, ears and nose of a dog. We will discover the origins of dogs' superpowers and how we humans are harnessing these powers to heal, inspire and save lives. Superpower Dogs will thrill and amaze the whole family, and celebrate the extraordinary bond between us and our dogs. We will never look at our best friends in the same way again! Superpower Dogs is the remarkable true story of a Dutch Shepherd puppy called Halo and her remarkable journey to join one of the most elite search and rescue teams in the United States, and save human lives. Halo and her devoted teammate, Fire Captain ‘Cat’ Labrada, embark on a two year adventure to become an Urban Search and Rescue K9 Response team with Florida Task Force 1, a Rapid Reaction Force set up to respond to catastrophic events such as hurricanes, earthquakes and terrorist attacks. |
As Halo discovers her superpowers we meet some of the world’s most amazing working canines including avalanche rescue dogs in the Canadian Rockies, Bloodhounds in Africa who are helping to protect elephants and rhinos from animal poachers, water rescue dogs on the Italian Riviera, and a Golden Retriever from California called Ricochet who heals children by surfing with them.
NEWS RELEASE
SURF DOG RICOCHET HAS BEEN CAST IN A 3D IMAX FILM CALLED
SUPERPOWER DOGS... JOIN HER AS SHE TAKES YOU BEHIND THE SCENES!
Her segment focuses on her Waves of Empowerment program that connects veterans with PTSD
and kids with special needs for a day of canine-assisted surf therapy and emotional healing.
Click here for CBS coverage of the filming
Click here for KUSI's coverage of the filming
SURF DOG RICOCHET HAS BEEN CAST IN A 3D IMAX FILM CALLED
SUPERPOWER DOGS... JOIN HER AS SHE TAKES YOU BEHIND THE SCENES!
Her segment focuses on her Waves of Empowerment program that connects veterans with PTSD
and kids with special needs for a day of canine-assisted surf therapy and emotional healing.
Click here for CBS coverage of the filming
Click here for KUSI's coverage of the filming
Surf Dog Ricochet, the surfing sensation, who is also a registered and certified therapy dog, is set to star in a new film entitled “Superpower Dogs”. The film will bring extraordinary dogs to life on giant IMAX screens. Ricochet’s segment included two days of filming at the beach, and one day at Balboa Park. The film is scheduled to be released in March, 2019.
BEHIND THE SCENES
The film is aiming to be the best movie ever told about extraordinary real life dogs who save lives,
protect us from danger and make our world a better place. The featured canines include search and
rescue, avalanche rescue and water rescue. Dogs that sniff out wildlife poachers in Kenya will also
be highlighted. These dogs rescue people from physical trauma.
protect us from danger and make our world a better place. The featured canines include search and
rescue, avalanche rescue and water rescue. Dogs that sniff out wildlife poachers in Kenya will also
be highlighted. These dogs rescue people from physical trauma.
Surf Dog Ricochet, on the other paw, rescues people from emotional trauma, such as PTSD. Every 65 minutes
a veteran with PTSD takes their life by suicide! It is because of these staggering statistics that Surf Dog
Ricochet is participating in the film. Her hope is that more light will be shed on our military war heroes
who are suffering in silence, and how much dogs can help in their recovery.
a veteran with PTSD takes their life by suicide! It is because of these staggering statistics that Surf Dog
Ricochet is participating in the film. Her hope is that more light will be shed on our military war heroes
who are suffering in silence, and how much dogs can help in their recovery.
Surf Dog Ricochet’s segment will focus on her ability to enrich the well-being of veterans with PTSD
and children with special needs through the healing power of the ocean, and the healing power of a dog.
and children with special needs through the healing power of the ocean, and the healing power of a dog.
The movie will utilize 3D cameras and computer graphics so that audiences may experience
the world through the eyes, ears, and nose of a dog.
the world through the eyes, ears, and nose of a dog.
The IMAX camera is attached to the end of a crane that swivels 360 degrees.
Talk about 3D close-ups!
The director donned a wetsuit and got in the water to capture “that perfect shot”.
All the "extras" on set were kids, families and the water team that have
been on Surf Dog Ricochet's journey over the last 10 years.
been on Surf Dog Ricochet's journey over the last 10 years.
An IMAX version of a GoPro was mounted to Surf Dog Ricochet's Surftech surfboard.
This production assistant now has “belly rubs” in his job description!
Get ready for this 3D cinematic experience as Surf Dog Ricochet surfs right into your seat!
Surf Dog Ricochet’s story of profound emotional healing will be told through the experiences of Staff
Sergeant Persons B. Griffith IV (Griff), a Marine combat veteran with PTSD, her guardian, Judy Fridono, and two
seven year old boys, Kennie Alvarez who has autism, and Logan Powell who has sensory processing disorder.
Sergeant Persons B. Griffith IV (Griff), a Marine combat veteran with PTSD, her guardian, Judy Fridono, and two
seven year old boys, Kennie Alvarez who has autism, and Logan Powell who has sensory processing disorder.
Surf Dog Ricochet and Griff met through a six-week canine therapy clinic provided by Paws'itive Teams,
and Naval Medical Center San Diego's Wounded, Ill and Injured Wellness Program (WII).
and Naval Medical Center San Diego's Wounded, Ill and Injured Wellness Program (WII).
After the clinic ended, Griff volunteered for Surf Dog Ricochet’s Waves of Empowerment program. An all-inclusive initiative
that connects veterans and kids through the challenges they face… taking them from the battleground to the playground.
that connects veterans and kids through the challenges they face… taking them from the battleground to the playground.
Each veteran becomes a mentor, and is paired one-on-one with a child for a day of paws-on healing
through canine-assisted surf therapy, and other empowerment building activities. It has been found
that being of service to another individual provides a sense of self-worth as well.
through canine-assisted surf therapy, and other empowerment building activities. It has been found
that being of service to another individual provides a sense of self-worth as well.
Confidence, trust and empowerment become the cornerstone of the surf session.
To that end, Griff gains new purpose by mentoring and encouraging Logan and Kennie to surf with Ricochet.
The boys also benefit by gaining their own personal hero as they become more confident, social and of course, empowered!
As Griff and the boys interact, it becomes clear how much more alike they are than different. These young
boys and this marine… held hostage by their inner turmoil. All three battle an invisible challenge. And
while scientists and specialists don’t always know what could help, Ricochet always does.
boys and this marine… held hostage by their inner turmoil. All three battle an invisible challenge. And
while scientists and specialists don’t always know what could help, Ricochet always does.
For example, when Ricochet senses Griff's anxiety, she initiates eye contact which releases
oxytocin, a hormone that acts as a neurotransmitter in the brain to reduce stress and anxiety.
oxytocin, a hormone that acts as a neurotransmitter in the brain to reduce stress and anxiety.
Surf Dog Ricochet’s segment also chronicles the subtle and not so subtle behaviors she uses to
communicate Griff's physical or emotional distress. Fridono interprets the behavior, and Griff validates it.
This three-way communication helps Griff identify deep seated emotional trauma which he
addresses with his therapists. As a result, his healing process advances more quickly.
communicate Griff's physical or emotional distress. Fridono interprets the behavior, and Griff validates it.
This three-way communication helps Griff identify deep seated emotional trauma which he
addresses with his therapists. As a result, his healing process advances more quickly.
Because the filmmakers were able to capture raw emotion from Griff, and corresponding behaviors from
Ricochet, you’ll be able to see how she acted like a mirror, reflecting back his feelings, while displaying her
empathy and intuition. This is how she detects and alerts to his triggers, anxiety and stress.
Ricochet, you’ll be able to see how she acted like a mirror, reflecting back his feelings, while displaying her
empathy and intuition. This is how she detects and alerts to his triggers, anxiety and stress.
You’ll also see how she took responsibility for Griff, and prevented him from going in to situations that were
overwhelming for him. She was able to avert panic attacks, melt downs and other anxiety provoking behavior.
overwhelming for him. She was able to avert panic attacks, melt downs and other anxiety provoking behavior.
It's Surf Dog Ricochet's wish that her segment will be the catalyst that gives hope to veterans with
PTSD who are suffering in silence or contemplating suicide, as well as anyone else who is faced
with emotional, physical or cognitive challenges.
Fridono believes all dogs have these healing powers. Unfortunately, we often misinterpret their cues as
bad behavior. In doing so, we miss the magic every dog is capable of. Her hope is that others will gain a
better understanding of the sentience of dogs, and how they are always communicating with us… we just have to listen.
PTSD who are suffering in silence or contemplating suicide, as well as anyone else who is faced
with emotional, physical or cognitive challenges.
Fridono believes all dogs have these healing powers. Unfortunately, we often misinterpret their cues as
bad behavior. In doing so, we miss the magic every dog is capable of. Her hope is that others will gain a
better understanding of the sentience of dogs, and how they are always communicating with us… we just have to listen.