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Ricochet (dog)

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Ricochet
SpeciesCanis lupus familiaris
BreedGolden Retriever
SexFemale
Born(2008-01-25)January 25, 2008
San Diego, California, U.S.
DiedMarch 31, 2023(2023-03-31) (aged 15)
EmployerPuppy Prodigies
Known forSurfing, empathic & intuitive healing, raising awareness and funds
TitleSURFice dog
OwnerJudy Fridono

Ricochet (January 25, 2008 – March 31, 2023) was a female Golden Retriever dog from San Diego. She was one of the original surfing dogs that started the whole dog surfing circuit. She entered her first surf dog competition when she was 15 months old. She was a competitive surfing dog for several years and typically placed in one of the top three spots of competitions.

Ricochet helped people with disabilities through surfing and community outreach. Ricochet's popularity on social media originated from a video of her surfing with a boy who is quadriplegic that was posted on YouTube. As of May 22, 2016, the video has more than 12.5 million views on YouTube and Facebook.[1]

When Ricochet was 8 weeks old, she climbed on a boogie board in a kiddie pool and was able to balance on her own.[2][3][4][5] She has surfed ever since. She started entering surf dog contests in 2010. On June 10, 2011, she surfed with surf pro, Taylor Knox.[6] On June 16, 2012 she surfed with actor, Cameron Mathison in the Loews Coronado Bay Resort surf dog contest and won 2nd place.[7] In August 2012 Ricochet surfed with a goat named Pismo.[8] On July 20, 2014 she surfed with surf pro Rob Machado.[9]

Ricochet was also the canine ambassador for surfers with disabilities and referred to as a SURFice dog, because she surfed as an assertive aid with children with special needs, people with disabilities, and veterans who were wounded or who had PTSD.[8]

Early life

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Ricochet in 2012

Ricochet was raised and trained by Judy Fridono as part of Fridono's non-profit 501(c)3 organization, Puppy Prodigies Neo-Natal & Early Learning Program. The organization trains dogs to be service dogs for people with disabilities. She started training to be a service dog but as she grew, her instinct for chasing birds and other wildlife increased and she was dropped from the program.[10] On August 20, 2009, she jumped on a surfboard with a 14-year-old boy named Patrick Ivison who is quadriplegic.[11]

Ricochet was 15 months old when she started her competitive dog surfing career at the Purina Incredible Dog Challenge Surf Dog competition, where she won third place.[3] Ricochet went on to win additional Purina Surf Dog contests as well as contests held by the Helen Woodward Animal Center's Surf Dog Surf-a-thon,[12] Loews Coronado Bay Resort Surf Dog Contests (now known as Unleashed By Petco's Surf Dog Contests)[13] and Surf City Surf Dog surf contests.[14]

Canine research

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Ricochet was involved in dog-human communication research with Dr. Brian Hare at the Duke University Canine Cognition Center.[15] In May 2015, Ricochet appeared in Nat Geo Wild's "Is Your Dog A Genius" hosted by Dr. Hare. In this show, Dr. Hare explained canine cognition and how Ricochet uses empathy (the ability to understand and share the feelings of others) while identifying, responding and communicating with veterans who have PTSD.[16]

Community outreach

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Ricochet with a United States Army Sergeant in 2013

After Ricochet's video went viral she turned the attention into a platform for raising awareness and funds for human and animal causes.[17] She has appeared at many community events in the San Diego area. She has served as the Grand Marshal at the Navy Woof Walk in 2014 and 2015.[18]

Ricochet was an ambassador for Pay It Forward Day,[19] The Best Day Foundation,[20] Life Rolls On[21] and Team PossAbilities para-Olympic team.[22] She has held more than 150 fundraisers and donated funds to more than 250 different causes.[23]

Ricochet performed therapy dog work with active duty military service members who had PTSD, traumatic brain injuries and other disabilities as a result of combat.[24] She participated in a PTSD Battle Buddy program with retired Staff Sergeant Randy Dexter.[25] She was also active with the Jimmy Miller Memorial Foundation's Ocean Therapy program,[26] wounded warriors,[27] and challenged athletes foundation.[28] Ricochet had an extraordinary and powerful ability to intuitively and empathetically identify and alert to the emotional and physical changes of the individuals she interacts with. This ability allows for remarkable healing interventions.[29]

Ricochet was featured on ABC for her ability to take commands from a synthesized voice on an iPad from children with autism.[30]

Ricochet was also a registered therapy dog with Therapy Dogs Incorporated, a certified therapy dog with Paws’itive Teams and has the highest therapy dog title with the AKC. As of April 24, 2015, she has raised over $457,000.[31]

Death

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Ricochet was diagnosed with liver cancer in August 2022. She died on March 31, 2023, at the age of 15.[32]

Merchandising

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Health Communications Inc approached Fridono about writing a book about Ricochet. In June 2014, Ricochet: Riding a Wave of Hope With the Dog Who Inspires Millions was published.[33] The book was released in paperback in May 2015, and a Japanese edition has also been published in Japan.[34][35] Ricochet also appears in 13 other books, including A Year With National Geographic: Yearbook 2014, Animals and the Kids Who Love Them, The Power of Wagging Tails, A Book of Miracles, Devoted, Surf Dog Miracles, San Diego North Coast and Daisy to the Rescue.

Ricochet's branded merchandise includes calendars, T-shirts, a stuffed animal, stickers, "paw it forward" wristbands and trading cards.[36]

Media appearances

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Print

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Ricochet was featured in more than 40 magazine articles including People Magazine,[37] Guideposts,[3] Dog Fancy, Fido Friendly,[38] Modern Dog,[39] Cesar's Way,[40] AKC Gazette,[41] Woman's World,[42] and many more.[43] In addition to the articles, she has been on the cover of Pup Culture,[44] San Diego Pets,[45] K9 Reporter,[46] American Dog,[47] Scholastic,[48] Woof[49] and Animal Wellness.[50]

Television

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Ricochet appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Network,[51][52] Nat Geo Wild,[53] an MTV special called "Made"[54] and was a Jeopardy question.[55] She also appeared in two Bark Box commercials.[56][57]

Ricochet was featured on Good Morning America,[58] ABC Evening News With Diane Sawyer,[59] ESPN,[60][full citation needed] Associated Press,[61] NBC,[17] ABC,[59] CBS,[62] Fox News,[63] Animal Planet.[4][clarification needed]

Film

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Ricochet appeared as an extra in the movie Marmaduke.[23] She was also cast as the "cheese obsessed dog" in the movie "Rina's Magic Bracelet" that featured Bailey Madison, Jackson Rathbone, J.K. Simmons, Hailee Steinfeld, James Van Der Beek.[64]

Ricochet was in a documentary called "Going the Distance", produced by David L. Brown.[65]

Ricochet was featured in an IMAX film produced by Daniel Ferguson about "super hero" dogs, released in 2017.

Notoriety

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Ricochet's surfing was featured on the Jumbo Tron in Times Square three times. She was also on the Jumbo Tron on the Las Vegas strip.[43]

Ricochet appeared on two billboards. Once with three other surf dogs. And another time with a goat.[43]

Ricochet threw out the first pitch at a San Diego Padres game in August 2013.[66]

Ricochet appeared in two music videos, "Seven wonders of the world"[67] produced by the Make A Film Foundation and "San Diego Dogs"[68] which is a parody of California Girls by Katy Perry produced by Surf's Up Studios.

Recognition

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Ricochet won many surf dog contests, fundraising and top dog awards.[69] These are just a few:

Surf Dog Ricochet won the American Kennel Club's Award for Canine Excellence in 2010.[70]

The ASPCA named Ricochet 2011's Dog of the Year.[71]

Ricochet won the American Humane Association's Hero Dog Award in the emerging hero category at the 2011 Hero Dog Awards.[2] She was escorted down the red carpet by Victoria Stillwell from Animal Planet's "It's Me or the Dog". Ricochet also rubbed paws with celebrities including Peter Fonda, Orlando Brown, Michelle Forbes, Jason Lewis, Anna Trubanskaya, Rin Tin Tin and Betty White.[72]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Why This Surfing Dog Maybe Better Than You've Seen". NBC News. Retrieved 10 May 2015.
  2. ^ a b "Surfing Dog Helps Disabled Surf". ABC Evening News with Diane Sawyer. August 22, 2011. Retrieved April 25, 2015
  3. ^ a b c "Surf Doggie". Guideposts Magazine. August 25, 2011. Retrieved April 25, 2015
  4. ^ a b "Rip Curl Ricki, the SURFice Dog" Animal Planet. December 8, 2009. Retrieved April 25, 2015
  5. ^ "Imperial Beach Crowns the Best Canine Surfers". Surfer Today. July 22, 2014. Retrieved April 26, 2015.
  6. ^ "Surfing with Taylor Knox" Video – YouTube. June 10, 2011. YouTube.com. Retrieved May 21, 2015
  7. ^ "Ricochet wins 1st and 2nd at Surf Dog Contest". Surfline. June 19, 2012. Retrieved May 21, 2015
  8. ^ a b "Surf Dog Ricochet". SD Surfboards. July 28, 2014. Retrieved May 21, 2015
  9. ^ "Rob Machado Sessions With Surf Therapy Dog". Surfers Village. July 21, 2014. Retrieved April 26, 2015.
  10. ^ "Service Dog Reject Ricochet Becomes Surfer Dude". San Diego Tribune (AP). 15 October 2009. Retrieved 5 March 2017.
  11. ^ "Surf Doggie". Guideposts Magazine. 23 August 2011. Retrieved 10 May 2015.
  12. ^ "Surf Dogs Make Waves at the Surf Dog Surf-A-Thon". Pause For Tails. September 19, 2012. Retrieved May 21, 2015
  13. ^ "Unleashed By Petco". Archived 2015-05-01 at the Wayback Machine Contest results. July 17, 2014. Retrieved May 21, 2015
  14. ^ "Golden Surfing Dogs". Land of Pure Gold. Retrieved May 21, 2015
  15. ^ Is Your Dog A Genius
  16. ^ YouTube Video: Is Your Dog A Genius
  17. ^ a b "Ruff Waves Ahead: Surfing Dog Helps Disabled Kids Boogie Board". NBC Nightly News. July 27, 2014. Retrieved April 25, 2015
  18. ^ "Navy Woof Walk". Navylifesw.com/woofwalk. Retrieved April 25, 2015
  19. ^ "Pay it Forward Day". Payitforwardday.com. Retrieved April 25, 2015
  20. ^ "Best Day Foundation". BestDayFoundation.org/ambassadors/ricochet. Retrieved April 25, 2015
  21. ^ "Life Rolls On". LifeRollsOn.org. Retrieved April 25, 2015
  22. ^ "Team Possabilities". Teampossabilities.org. Retrieved April 25, 2015
  23. ^ a b "About Surf Dog Ricochet". SurfDogRicochet.com. Retrieved April 25, 2015
  24. ^ "Surf Dog Helps Soldier Heal". Fox 5 San Diego. December 11, 2013. Retrieved April 25, 2015
  25. ^ Fridono, Judy. "Our Therapy Dogs Help Veterans with PTSD". Paws'itive Teams. Retrieved 2 December 2018.
  26. ^ "Jimmy Miller Memorial Foundation Ocean Therapy Program". JimmyMillerFoundation.org. Retrieved April 25, 2015
  27. ^ "Surf Dog Spends New Year's Eve Helping Wounded Warriors, Special Needs Kids". ABC News. December 31, 2013. Retrieved April 25, 2015
  28. ^ "Surf Dog Ricochet Makes a Splash to Assist Spinal Cord Injured Boy Swim for Fundraiser May 4th". Surfline. May 4, 2012. Retrieved April 25, 2015
  29. ^ "Wounded Warriors Ride Waves with Surf Dog". Yahoo News. December 31, 2013. Retrieved April 25, 2015
  30. ^ "Ricochet Takes Command from iPad to Help People". Yahoo News. December 4, 2012. Retrieved April 25, 2015
  31. ^ "Dog Surfs With Disabled Boy". Animal Planet. Retrieved 10 May 2015.
  32. ^ "Ricochet, San Diego's beloved surfing therapy dog, dies at 15". The Los Angeles Times. 2 April 2023. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
  33. ^ "Ricochet: Riding A Wave of Hope With The Dog Who Inspires Millions". By Judy Fridono and Kay Pflatz. Amazon.com. Published June 3, 2014. Retrieved April 25, 2015
  34. ^ "Ricochet: Riding A Wave of Hope With The Dog Who Inspires Millions". Japanese edition. Published April, 2015. Retrieved April 25, 2015
  35. ^ "Ricochet Wins 1st and 2nd at Surf Dog Contest". Surfline. June 19, 2012. Retrieved April 26, 2015
  36. ^ "Stuff For Sale". SurfDogRicochet.com. Retrieved April 25, 2015.
  37. ^ "America's Got Talented Pets". People Magazine. May 17, 2012. Retrieved April 25, 2015
  38. ^ "Surf Dog Ricochet Receives Award at the Star Studded Hero Dog". Fido Friendly. October 4, 2011. Retrieved April 26, 2015
  39. ^ "Rip Curl Ricki the Surfing Dog". Barr, Melissa. Modern Dog Magazine. December 18, 2009. Retrieved April 26, 2015
  40. ^ "Ricochet Paws it Forward". Cesar's Way Magazine. July 6, 2011. Retrieved April 26, 2015
  41. ^ "Paw's Up". AKC Gazette. December 16, 2009. Retrieved April 26, 2015
  42. ^ "The Angel Disguised as a Dog". Women's World Magazine. August 8, 2015. Retrieved April 26, 2015
  43. ^ a b c "Media". SurfDogRicochet.com. Retrieved April 26, 2015
  44. ^ "Surf Dog Ricochet Inspiring Others to Paw it Forward". Pup Culture Magazine. December, 2011. Retrieved April 26, 2015
  45. ^ "Ricochet, A Story of Bouncing Back". San Diego Pets Magazine. August, 2011. Retrieved April 26, 2015
  46. ^ "A Moment With Ricochet and Judy". The K9 Reporter. October 5, 2011. Retrieved April 26, 2015
  47. ^ "Celebrity Dogs". American Dog Magazine. April 6, 2015. Retrieved April 26, 2015
  48. ^ "Animal Heroes". Scholastic News. May 4, 2012. Retrieved April 26, 2015
  49. ^ "The Dog That Surfs For a Good Cause". Woof Magazine. April 2014. Retrieved April 26, 2015
  50. ^ "Ricochet Hangs Ten". Animal Wellness Magazine. September 14, 2014. Retrieved April 26, 2015
  51. ^ "Surf Dog Ricochet to Appear on Oprah Winfrey Network". Fido Friendly Magazine. January 17, 2012. Retrieved April 26, 2015
  52. ^ "Beyond Belief". Video. Oprah Winfrey Network. YouTube.com. January 19, 2012. Retrieved April 26, 2015
  53. ^ "Caught in the Act". Video. Nat Geo Wild. YouTube.com. June 25, 2013. Retrieved April 26, 2015
  54. ^ "Made". Video. MTV. YouTube.com. June 11, 2011. Retrieved April 26, 2015
  55. ^ "Jeopardy". Video. Jeopardy. YouTube.com July 5, 2013. Retrieved April 26, 2015
  56. ^ "Bark Box Commercial". Video. Bark Box. YouTube.com. September 16, 2014. Retrieved April 26, 2015
  57. ^ "Bark Box Holiday Commercial". Video. Bark Box. YouTube.com. November 14, 2014. Retrieved April 26, 2015
  58. ^ "Terminally Ill Boy, Dog Fetch a Wave for Surfing Wish". Good Morning America. February 13, 2014. Retrieved April 26, 2015
  59. ^ a b "Surfing Dog Ricochet Helps Disabled People Surf". ABC Evening News with Diane Sawyer. August 22, 2011. Retrieved April 25, 2015
  60. ^ "Story of Ricochet the surfing dog is pretty awesome". LarryBrownSports.com. May 19, 2013. Retrieved April 26, 2015.
  61. ^ "Service Dog Reject Ricochet Becomes Surfer Dude". Associated Press. UTSanDiego.com. October 15, 2009. Retrieved April 26, 2015
  62. ^ "Terminally ill teen surfs with Ricochet the dog". Summers, Alicia. CBS. February 12, 2014. Retrieved April 26, 2015
  63. ^ "Surf Dog Makes Teen With Cancer's Wish Come True". Fox News. February 12, 2014. Retrieved April 26, 2015
  64. ^ "Rina's Magic Bracelet". Video. Make a Film Foundation. YouTube.com. Story by Rina Goldberg. Adapted by Diablo Cody, Directed by Jon Poll. April 23, 2013. Retrieved April 26, 2015
  65. ^ "Going the Distance". Brown, David L. Documentary. YouTube.com. September 19, 2010. Retrieved April 26, 2015
  66. ^ "Surf Dog Ricochet Padres Game". Fido Friendly Magazine. August 26, 2013. Retrieved April 26, 2015
  67. ^ "Seven Wonders of the World". Music video. Make A Film Foundation. YouTube.com. October 17, 2013. Retrieved April 26, 2015
  68. ^ "San Diego Dogs". Music video. Surf's Up Studios. Vimeo.com. 2013. Retrieved April 26, 2015
  69. ^ "Surf Dog Ricochet Awards". SurfDogRicochet.com. Retrieved April 26, 2015
  70. ^ "Five Canine Heroes Honored with AKC Humane Fund Award for Canine Excellence". AKC.org. September 16, 2010. Retrieved April 26, 2015
  71. ^ "ASPCA Honors Outstanding Animals, People". North County Gazette. November 18, 2011. Retrieved April 26, 2015
  72. ^ "Surf Dog Ricochet Receives Award at the Star Studded Hero Dog". Fido Friendly Magazine. October 4, 2011. Retrieved April 26, 2015

Bibliography

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Fridono, Judy and Pfaltz, Kay (June 3, 2014). Ricochet: Riding a Wave of Hope With the Dog Who Inspires Millions. Health Communications, Inc. ISBN 0757317723

Further reading

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