Ricochet, San Diego’s beloved surfing therapy dog, dies at 15

Ricochet, San Diego’s favourite browsing remedy canine, has caught her last wave.

The 15-year-old Golden Retriever — a pioneer of canine-assisted surf remedy who helped numerous veterans and youngsters — handed away on Friday, her proprietor Judy Fridono mentioned Saturday. Ricochet was recognized with liver most cancers in August however started experiencing painful signs on Friday.

“I made a promise to Ricochet a very long time in the past that I wouldn’t let her undergo,” Fridono mentioned in an announcement. “She took her first breath in my hand when she was born … and he or she took her final breath in my hand yesterday.”

Ricochet was raised to be a service canine, however the energetic pup was extra keen on chasing birds than aiding with family chores, Fridono mentioned.

In 2009, the canine discovered her calling.

That was the 12 months Ricochet acquired on a surfboard with native quadriplegic surfer Patrick Ivison. A viral video of the encounter acquired greater than 6 million views on YouTube.

“That day she hopped on the board with Patrick, she was reborn,” Fridono mentioned in a 2012 interview with the Union-Tribune. “She stored operating again to the water together with her tail wagging like she may lastly inform me, ‘That is what I need to do.’”

All through her life, the beloved canine touched the lives of youngsters with particular wants, wounded service members and households of fallen veterans. Ricochet was generally known as an affectionate companion, a shameless belly-rub beggar and had an instinct for individuals who wanted a cuddle, Fridono mentioned.

Notably, the furry do-gooder helped increase $1 million for charity and the donation of greater than 1 million bowls of meals for homeless animals.

Ricochet additionally labored as a goal-directed remedy canine for Pawsitive Groups and the Naval Medical Middle San Diego the place she supported service members and veterans with PTSD, trauma, nervousness and different emotional challenges.

Her work garnered quite a few awards, media consideration and a loyal fan base on social media. The pup had greater than 141,000 followers on Instagram and greater than 270,000 on Fb.

Ricochet’s legacy will reside on by way of the sponsorship of Jose Martinez, a military veteran and parasurfer and thru donations to adaptive browsing organizations.

“Individuals consider in Ricochet’s mission… she didn’t do it alone,” Fridono mentioned. “Her supporters are an extension of her legacy and her roots in philanthropy and serving to others heal by way of canine intervention and remedy.

Now that she’s gone, I don’t need individuals to be unhappy, I need them to have a good time and proceed supporting what she began.”