Ricochet

Home

Ricochet

"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Ricochet was born on January 25, 2008, she was the ninth puppy out of a litter of ten and part of Puppy Prodigies Neo-Natal and Early Learning Program. She was born with an important purpose and training started right away for her. Ricochet was bred to be a service dog to help those with disabilities.

Training for Ricochet started when she was just eleven days old. Her eyes were not even open yet. They worked on helping her learn obsticles and teaching her a great sense of balance. The training for Ricochet progressed and it appeared she was a quick learner and wanted to please her trainor. Ricochet worked hard at learning to help with laundry, shutting off lights, unzipping clothes and many other tasks. It appered that she would be a great service dog and the work continued. (images by Juls Megill Photography)

There was just one problem with Ricochet though that was seen at a very early age. She had a prey drive that she couldn't hold back. She wanted to chase birds and small animals. That is just what she did and with this behavior her future was uncertain in the program. This was very dissapointing for her trainer because this very problem would eventually shove Ricochet out of the program. This was an unacceptable behavior to allow her to continue on in her mission to be a service dog. Ricochet was eventually released from the service dog program. The story doesn't end there though, Ricochet still had a purpose and it was yet to shine through..

Ricochet had a passion, she had a drive and had her own path. This is when her trainer decided to take the dissapointment of Ricki as they call her not being a "service dog" and helping her do what she could do. Surfing! In addition to her service dog training she was practicing surfing on a small board in a kiddy pool. Once out of the program her trainor focused on the surfing. When Ricochet was allowed to just be what she was she flourished into a different type of service dog but on her own terms.

On August 20th, 2009 Ricki (Rip Curl Ricki) did her first fund raiser event. A tandem surf with quadriplegic surfer, Patrick Ivison.

Together on a surf board they road the waves and Ricki was right there with Patrick. Her amazing sense of balance helped her counter-balance the surf board to help Patrick. The pictures of this event speaks a thousands words. The smile on Patrick's face the deterimation in Ricki's eyes to do what she does best shines through.

They raised $10,000 dollars and their sponsor WebMD donated three year physical therapy grant for Patrick. Ricki also help raise funds for Patrick to get a service dog to help him become more indipendant.

This is only the start to this incrediable dogs journey to help people with disabilities.

Click on the pictures below to enlarge them....