This guest post is by Judy Fridono and describes her inspirational personal journey working with Ricochet an assistance dog for the disabled.

Focus on their ABILITY, not disability

Ricochet’s story is that she was born into my assistance dog program, Puppy Prodigies Neo-natal & Early learning program puppyprodigies with the intention of her becoming a service dog for a person with a disability.

She went through quite a bit of service dog training, and then I started to notice how bad her chase drive was. She wanted to chase birds, or other small animals, and the instinct was very intense. I worked with her to control her impulses, and she did really well.

I was hard on her, and myself for the first 18 months of her life trying to make her something she wasn’t. But, I knew it would be a risk to match her with a person with a disability because if she was attached to a wheelchair, or someone’s feeble hand, she could cause them great injury if she decided to chase something instinctually.

So, I had to make the very hard decision of releasing her from that role. Rather than release her from the entire program, I chose to focus on what she COULD do, rather than what she can’t. Sort of like people with disabilities that focus on their ABILITY, not disability. And, one of the things she does well is surf. So, I wondered how I could make her surfing meaningful.

Once I let go of what I WANTED her to be, ideas just came to me. It was like I was being channeled by a higher energy, and I was just the vehicle to make Ricochet’s life work materialize. So, I sat in front of my computer one day, with her under my desk. And, I just started typing. Before I knew it, her website was created, and the idea of Surfin’ for Paws-abilities was born. She would fundraise for people with disabilities through her surfing.

Her first fundraiser was for Patrick, and as fate would have it, they both surfed! So, it seemed like fate that this little surFUR girls first fund raiser would be for this young surfer boy. As I said, ideas kept just coming to me, and I had the idea for them to surf together, on separate boards. Then, the day we got together to do that, another idea popped into my head… have them tandem surf. We did a lot of creating awareness through the media for spinal cord injuries, people with disabilities, adaptive surfing, and Patrick specifically.

After all is said and done, she has raised over $10,000 in the last three months. WebMD Health Foundation is also awarding a grant to the non profit organization that is responsible for paying Patrick’s rehab/physical therapy, and they are committed to covering the next three years to help him achieve his goal of walking across the stage at his high school graduation.

So, this little dog just flourished once I let go of what I wanted her to be. When, I allowed her to be who she was, amazing things happened!

I guess what I’d want to get across to people is they shouldn’t make the same mistake I did, and try to change a being because they’re perfect the way they are! I’d like to inspire people to accept one another for who they are. And, create more awareness of what a little creativity can create.

When someone thinks things are hopeless, if they think outside the box, amazing things can happen. Ricochet is going to continue on this journey, and will continue to help other individuals and organizations. We will continue on the path of creating awareness, and hope to inspire along the way.

We want kids (and people) with or without disabilities to know ANYTHING is possible, if you just believe, and don’t let anything hold you back. focus on what you CAN do. It worked for Patrick, it worked for Ricochet, and it can work for you!

I feel like ricochet has a very strong energy about her, and can make amazing things happen! I’m honoured to be the vehicle she chose to get her message out there. As I believe animals come into our lives for a reason, and they teach us lessons. She’s an amazing teacher!

To watch a video of Ricochet surfing with Patrick Ivison please visit My Dream is to Walk

For more information on this amazing assistance dog’s work with the disabled please visit www.ripcurlricki.com

Credits for the images used in this article about the inspirational Ricochet and her life as an assistance dog belong to Judy Fridono.

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