Ricochet a Golden Retriever has been surfing since she was a puppy. Golden Retrievers love a good job to do and commonly make bringing a tennis ball back over and over the chosen sport. Ricochet, better known as Rip Curl Ricki in the water, not only learned to surf and hang in the ocean but has become the tandem surfing partner to 15 year old Patrick Ivison.
The very unique thing about this tandem surfing team is Patrick Ivison is a quadriplegic since age 14 months when he suffered a spinal cord injury in an accident. Patrick surfs using an adaptive surfboard and has excelled at other sports as well using adaptive equipment.
Recently Patrick realized that he could be more independent if he had a service dog to assist him. Richocet and the surf contest came along at the right time to help him achieve getting his own service dog. The part that is most difficult in the service dog quest trained for Patrick’s needs is the cost.
As it turns out that Rip Curl Ricki the Golden Retriever not only has surf skills but is pretty good at fundraising as well. Patrick will be the official beneficiary of the Surf City Surf Dog Contest and their following is dear to those who know about it. Many who watch the inspiring video and learn about Patrick’s resolve to walk through a therapy program want to help in the fundraising effort.
The inspiration and determination of a person like Patrick is enough to make one just simply appreciate the day before them. It’s almost sad that a thing like money gets in the way of progress. Finding a cool dog like Rip Curl Ricki to team up with Patrick and motivate the fundraising effort is almost beyond describing it as a perfect match.
Ricohet is the coolest surfer girl dog and Patrick is a way cool 15 year old kid. You can watch Rip Curl Ricki compete at Helen Woodward’s Surf dog Surf-a-thon at Del Mar Dog Beach on September 13, 2009.
Rip Curl Ricki will compete at the Surf City Surf Dog Contest in Huntington Beach October 11, 2009. Patrick and Rip Curl Ricki will be demonstrating their tandem skills at this event. Donations to Ricochet through her fundraising efforts at the Huntington Beach event will go directly to Paws’itive Teams, and Help Patrick Walk, for the sole purpose of easing the financial burden on Patrick and his family.
You can donate starting now at Rip Curl Ricki's website www.RipCurlRicki.com
As a professional dog trainer and author for the Examiner this story is close to my heart as I met my life partner while at a conference over companion dogs. He’s is the first and only person to summit Mt. Everest with one arm and brings inspiration to those who what to make the mission “anything is possible” into their lives. We are fully supporting the events and fundraising for Patrick and wish both Ricochet and Patrick the best of times at their upcoming events.
Article by Jt Clough® 2009
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