Judy adopted Ricochet, a very talented golden retriever, when she was just a puppy. At only 8 weeks, the pupper jumped on top of a boogie board in a kiddie pool. Surprised at her great balance, Judy knew Ricochet had something special. Little did she know this incredible dog would learn to surf, and in the process, help children and veterans take to the ocean and experience the healing power of the water.
After that initial kiddie pool experience, Judy taught Ricochet the ways of the waves. Now, 13 years later, Ricochet has become an avid surfer who takes pride in being one of the OG surf dogs on the beach!
Meet Lucky, the 3-Legged Puppy Who Became a Therapy Dog for Schoolchildren
As a dog-handler team, Judy and Ricochet met an adaptive surfer in 2009. Judy thought that getting both Ricochet and the little boy on their surfboards would show them each what they have in common. After catching a few waves on their boards, Ricochet decided to jump on his board to ride some waves together! Judy says it was from that moment on she knew that Ricochet was made to help bring joy and healing to other people’s lives through surfing.
Even though Ricochet is a very special dog (with some incredible skills), she still loves doing regular doggy activities when she’s not surfing. In fact, when she’s not on her board catching a wave, the pooch is often found chasing gophers, squirrels, seagulls, and even her dog sibling, Corey. But for the most part, Judy says Ricochet enjoys combining her surfboard talents with her ability to help others in need. What a good girl!
Every four years, the whole world comes together to witness the greatest athletes of our time in the Olympics. OK, this last one took five years, but that only added to the hype. The Tokyo games are here and we’re all glued to our television and computer screens. Even people who don’t like sports are drawn to the intensity of going for the gold.
But us humans aren’t the only athletes out there. Many of our best furry friends have incredible strength, stamina, and speed, making them athletes in their own right. Have you ever wondered what dog breed best aligns with your favorite Olympic sport? Even if you haven’t, we took the liberty of deciding what dogs would bring home a gold medal and why.
Swimming: Portuguese Water Dog
When it comes to taming horses, Australian shepherds rise to the occasion. Heck, they can herd just about any animal. These dogs can be extremely disciplined, meaning they’ll stay cool and collected under Olympic-level pressure to win. Beyond being both smart and playful, they’re also one of the healthiest breeds around. A dog sometimes synonymous with cowboy culture and westerns, wrangling horses is no sweat off their back.
Beach Volleyball: Labrador Retriever
What’s a beach day without a Labrador retriever soaking up the sun? Labs are rowdy enough to keep up the energy and trainable enough to keep their eyes on the prize. Not to mention a retriever’s innate draw towards all things ball related. Happy and hardworking, these pups are the perfect beach companion and volleyball partner.
Skaters are known for being laid back personalities that still bring the energy when it comes to their sport. That’s why the American bulldog is any skaters’ soul sister. This breed is easy-going but highly focused, making them a perfect trailblazing (or tailblazing) contender for the newest Olympic event.
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