Ricochet Brings Biscuits to Needy Shelter Dogs

PRESS RELEASE

SAN DIEGO, CA, April 30, 2010 — Surf Dog Ricochet, the SURFice dog best known for her charitable contributions, joined two of her fundraising beneficiaries as they “pawed it forward” on Pay (Paw) It Forward Day yesterday, April 29. They handed out dog biscuits to the orphaned dogs at the Helen Woodward Animal Center in an effort to raise awareness about animals in need of homes.

Mayor Jerry Sanders proclaimed April 29 Paw (Pay) It Forward Day in San Diego, Calif., after Ricochet contacted his office as a part of a worldwide initiative that was started by founder Blake Beattie. Paw (Pay) It Forward Day is based on the novel of the same name written by Catherine Ryan Hyde. The premise of the story involves a 12-year-old boy who does three good deeds for others in need. All he asks for in return is that they pass on the good deed to three other people and keep the cycle going. 

Ricochet’s fundraising beneficiaries, Patrick Ivison, the quadriplegic boy she raised more than $10,000 for, and Ian McFarland, the 6-year-old brain-injured boy she raised more than $6,435 for, joined her at the Helen Woodward Animal Center. The boys distributed biscuits to the dogs waiting to be adopted. They were also allowed to hold puppies and visit the other animals, including the horses, goats and sheep.

The highlight of the visit for Patrick and Ian, along with Ian’s siblings, was being able to personally give biscuits to some of the dogs.  For more pictures of them Pawing It Forward to the dogs, click here. The dogs were happy with this mid-afternoon treat, and the young, motivated visitors had smiles plastered on their faces because they knew they were paying it forward to dogs in need! The children also learned more about animal adoption and what Helen Woodward Center does.

Helen Woodward Animal Center is a unique, private, non-profit organization dedicated to saving the lives of animals and enriching the lives of people. For more than 37 years, the no-kill center has provided humane care and adoption for orphaned animals, as well as animal-centered educational and therapeutic programs for people.

Ricochet, Patrick and Ian hope to inspire more people to live a Paw (Pay) It Forward lifestyle on a day-to-day basis. They are also striving for their good deed to create awareness about adoptable animals out there needing homes who are waiting to Paw (Pay) It Forward, too!

PHOTO: Judy Fridono