Surf Dog Ricochet Wins ASPCA Dog of the Year Award

Surf Dog Ricochet, who was recently honored with the American Humane Association’s “Emerging Hero Dog” award, will be in New York City tomorrow to accept the well-deserved award for “Dog of the Year” from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).

Ricochet, a 3-year-old Golden Retriever, is a “SURFice” dog who lives a lifestyle of helping others by pawing it forward.

Seven outstanding animals and people, including Ricochet, will be honored at ASPCA’s Annual Humane Awards Luncheon tomorrow.

Ricochet is also scheduled to make an appearance on NBC’s “Today” show Thursday morning, along with the Cat of the Year and Kid of the Year award winners.

The ASPCA ceremony recognizes animal heroes who have demonstrated extraordinary efforts, as well as people who have made a significant impact on the lives of animals during the past year. The luncheon is the ASPCA’s way of recognizing the important role animals play in our lives, the significance of the human-animal bond and the people who make animal welfare an integral part of their lives.

Following a nationwide call for nominations in February, an ASPCA-appointed committee reviewed hundreds of entries and selected winners in six categories: Dog of The Year; Cat of the Year; Kid of the Year; ASPCA Public Service Award; ASPCA Henry Bergh Award; and ASPCA Presidential Service Award. Ricochet was chosen after the ASPCA’s due diligence led them to her website.

Ricochet was slated to be a service dog for a person with a disability, but as she advanced through her training program, she developed an affinity for chasing birds. Refusing to give up on her, owner Judy Fridono discovered Ricochet’s talent for riding the waves, and Ricochet went from service dog to SURFice dog.

She’s the only known dog in the world that surfs for therapeutic purposes with special-needs kids and people with disabilities. She’s able to adjust her surfing style to fit each person’s disability.

Her fundraising initiative, Surfin’ for Paws-abilities, allows Ricochet to raise funds and awareness for humans and animals in need. To date, Ricochet has raised more than $125,000 for more than 150 causes.

Ricochet is honored to receive the “Dog of the Year” award and will use this opportunity as another platform to continue her mission of helping others locally, nationally and globally.

SOURCE AND PHOTO: surfdogricochet.com

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