Surf Dog Ricochet

ld on a boogie board in a kiddie pool. At fifteen months, I entered my first surf dog competition and won third place! From there, I entered and placed in the top three winning positions in most contests I entered. In 2015, I stopped competing to focus exclusively on adaptive surfing. However, I still surf for fun, media and promotion. PAWS-ON HEALING
Although surfing has been at the forefront of my work, it’s not just the act of surfing that makes my interactions so life changing. It’s my compelling, one-of-a-kind ability to make immediate, heart-to-heart, soul-to-soul connections with strangers both in and out of the water. I’ve been blessed with extraordinary and powerful gifts. And because they’ve been nurtured I have an exceptional level of healing mastery. When I meet a person it’s like they’re a book and I read the whole book in a matter of seconds. I intuitively and empathically alert to their emotional and physical changes which allows for profound paws-on healing interventions I balance boards, and lives! To see videos that illustrate this, go to http://www.surfdogricochet.com/paws-on-healing.html

I’m an advocate, ambassador and spokesdog for many causes and have also created my own programs and initiatives. Some of them are outlined below. PTSD BATTLE BUDDY INITIATIVE
Every 65 minutes a veteran with PTSD dies by su***de. I am committed to reducing those staggering statistics by using the healing power of a dog in the fight against PTSD. For more info, go to http://www.surfdogricochet.com/ptsd.html

WAVES OF EMPOWERMENT
This program takes my surf therapy, ocean therapy, paws-on healing and pawing it forward initiatives to the next level. It’s about inspiring and empowering people with disabilities to help themselves by helping others. These are individuals that I have previously surfed or worked with, who are now volunteering to help the next wave of disabled surfers get on board with me! For more info, go to http://www.surfdogricochet.com/waves-of-empowerment.html

OPERATION SOCIALIZATION
Matching service dog puppies in training with veterans with PTSD to socialize the puppies and reduce social anxiety in the veterans. For more info, go to http://www.surfdogricochet.com/operation-socialization.html

MAKE-A-WISH
Caleb was a 15 year old boy with stage 4 brain and spine cancer. When Make-A-Wish asked what he wished for, he said “To surf with Ricochet”. Caleb was one of the most inspiring kids we know. Despite the pain and challenges he endured, he always had a smile on his face. ISA WORLD ADAPTIVE SURFING CHAMPIONSHIP
The world’s best adaptive surfers compete for individual and team medals. The competitors represent their countries and have the opportunity to come together in the spirit of fair competition. I have surfed in the expression session, and support the organizations and surfers involved. SURFIN' FOR PAWS-ABILITIES
I took my natural ability of balancing on a surfboard, and made it meaningful... I wanted to make a difference. So, Surfin' for Paws-abilities was born!... which is a fundraising initiative carved out for me through our non-profit, Puppy Prodigies. ANTI-BULLYING
I’m a dog who stayed true to myself despite the expectations of others, and not standing up for myself when bullied by other dogs. Now, I go to schools to bark about the work I do, and instill the concept of individuality. CANINE INSPIRED COMMUNITY RE-INTEGRATION (CICR)
I’m involved in this therapy dog program is through Paws’itive Teams and Naval Medical Center. The program helps active duty military with PTSD make the transition back into the civilian world through canine therapy. SURF FOR SMA
Every summer we hold a surf session for kids with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) in an effort to give them a thrill of a lifetime and to raise awareness of the disease. PAW IT FORWARD
I’m an ambassador for Pay It Forward Day because I live a lifestyle of pawing it forward for human & animal causes. AUTISM SURF CAMP
For six weeks during the summer, the Autism Society San Diego holds a surf camp for kids with autism. It runs for six weeks, and there is a new group of kids every week. I surf with the kids which gives them a sense of independence and empowerment. VETERAN'S ADAPTIVE SPORTS CAMP - SURF CLINIC
For one week each September, the VA holds an adaptive sports camp for disabled veterans. One of the clinics is surfing and I attend to surf and support the veterans. BEAUTIFULLY FLAWED RETREAT - FRIENDS OF BETHANY HAMILTON
This is a retreat held each fall to inspire, strengthen, and teach young female amputees to use their physical difference as a platform to shine a bright light to others! One of the retreat days is for surfing, and I’ve been invited to attend and surf with the girls for several years. CANINE AMBASSADOR FOR SURFERS WITH DISABILITIES℠
Prior to me, there were no dogs committed to adaptive surfing. As such, I’ve become the Canine Ambassador for Surfers with Disabilities℠. I’ve been surfing as such since 2009. THE JIMMY MILLER MEMORIAL FOUNDATION
This ocean therapy program is for marines at Camp Pendleton. I was asked to be an Ambassador and have attended their surf sessions and annual event for several years. THE BEST DAY FOUNDATION
They take kids with special needs out for a fun day on the beach. I’ve been an Ambassador for them since 2011. LIFE ROLLS ON
Provides surf and skate events for people with spinal cord injuries and other disabilities. I’ve been an Ambassador for their program for several years

SAN DIEGO METRO FLEET & FAMILY READINESS PROGRAMS
The hold a Navy Woof Walk every year, and I’ve been invited to be the Grand Marshall for the last several years.