Have you heard of Ricochet, the surfice dog? If not, get ready to cry, laugh, and cry again. It’s all good crying, trust me.

When Ricochet, a two-year-old Golden Retriever, was born in early 2008 she was immediately enrolled in the Puppy Prodigies Neo-Natal & Early Learning Program. This program works with pups from birth to train them to become service dogs for people with disabilities. Ricochet was hitting all her marks over the days, weeks, and months, but she had one flaw — an obsession with chasing birds. Since a dog that chases birds at any moment isn’t safe for someone with a disability, Ricochet was pulled out of the program, but her skills weren’t put to waste.

Before she was pulled out, her trainer noticed that Ricochet had amazing balance, so for fun, at 8-weeks-old, Ricochet started to learn how to surf on a boogie board in a kiddie pool. She did so well that come summer she did a few practice sessions in the calm waters of Fiesta Island in San Diego. She continued to hit the surf there until June 2009 when Ricki was asked to compete in the Purina Incredible Dog Challenge Surf Competition. She took 3rd place, just a point off from second.

Since Ricki couldn’t fulfill the traditional needs of a service animal, but she could surf with the best of ‘em, it was decided that she should use her talents to help those with disabilities in a different way. The result: Surfin’ for Paws-abilities. The non-profit now hosts fundraisers, starring Rip Curl Ricki, which raise funds for physical rehabilitation for people like Patrick Ivison, a quadriplegic surfer (story on him in a later post!). Recently Ricki raised money for Ian McFarland, a six-year-old boy who suffered a traumatic brain injury in a car accident that claimed his parents. Not only that, but Ricki helped Ian, who used to surf with his dad, get back on the board. I know, this dog can do ANYTHING!

So, how does Ricki help those with disabilities surf? By standing on the board behind them and keeping everything in balance. Can you believe that?! Below, video of Ricochet with Patrick Ivison.

You can help Ricochet continue to raise money for kids with disabilities through her site and she also has a Facebook page where you can stay up to date on what amazing work she’s doing next! And, as if you needed more inspiration, here is a video bio of Ricochet’s life from newborn to surfin’ pup! You will need kleenex. I think I started tearing by the 30 second mark. Let me know how long you were able to last before your nose started burning and your eyes welled up.

Image: Surf Dog Ricochet

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