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The deadline for the annual GRCA Gold Standard Award is February 28 of each year. This award is presented to honor a Golden Retriever who performs honorable, heroic acts or who enriches, inspires or contributes to the lives of individuals and communities during the previous year’s period. The owner of a nominated dog need not be a GRCA member. Nominations should be in the form of a 500-word or less description of how the Golden Retriever has demonstrated excellence. Please include photo of the dog, dog's name, sex, age and AKC number, owner's name, address and telephone number (email address if applicable), and the name, address, telephone number (and email address) of the GRCA member making the nomination. Nominations must be postmarked by February 28 of the current year and mailed to the Secretary, Janet Peacock, 16 Desvio Court, Pacifica, CA 94044-4229. The Board of Directors shall determine the winning nomination at the Mid Year Board Meeting.
 
Dog's name: Ricochet
Sex: Female, Age 2 1/2, Owner's name: Judy Fridono
website: www.surfdogricochet.com
Nominated by: Glenda Brown,
Ricochet was slated to be a service dog for a person with a disability, but has too much interest in chasing prey. So, she had to be released from that role. Because she also surfed, her title went from service dog to SURFice dog, and she now lives a lifestyle of helping others by pawing it forward, while raising awareness and funds for human/animal causes.
In 2010 she raised over $50,000 for different causes including:
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A quadriplegic boy's physical therapy, and service dog (an additional three years of therapy was paid for by one of her sponsors as well)
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A toy drive that resulted in $3550 in donations, which purchased toys for 638 children in hospitals and women's shelters
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A year supply of dog food donated to a local animal shelter
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$1820 raised for a canine cancer walk, and was the top fundraiser
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$5580 raised for arthritis, and she was the 2nd top fundraiser
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A wheelchair donation for a paralyzed dog
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$7462 raised for a boy who suffered a brain injury in a car accident that claimed the lives of his parents. She also made a huge difference in his life surfing with him, as he used to surf with his dad, but was afraid to go back in the water after the accident. When he heard he'd be surfing with Ricochet, his fear was replaced with excitement. He made a significant milestone during that session! Here is a video that shows the difference Ricochet made to his life http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-iIv5t2qKL4
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354 lbs of pet food donated to area shelters
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$5000 wheelchair donated to woman with spina bifida
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$11,000 therapy pool donated to 2 year old girl who was born brain dead
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$1895 donated to several adaptive surfing organizations that take disabled surfers out surfing
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$1239 raised for canine cancer
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$3035 raised for an animal shelter fundraiser & she was the top fundraiser
Ricochet also had a video of her journey from service dog to SURFice dog go viral on YouTube, and it currently has over 2.7 million views. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGODurRfVv4 She has touched millions of people all over the world with her inspirational story, and pawing it forward lifestyle.
She inspires people daily on her Facebook page that has almost 14,000 fans. She also won the 2010 AKC award for canine excellence in the exemplary companion category.
Ricochet surfs tandem with several people with disabilities from quadriplegia, brain injuries, amputations, and more.
She is also an ambassador for several different organizations, including ampsurf which takes amputee surfers out, Chase Away K9 cancer, Pay It Forward Day, and several other adaptive surfing organizations.
Ricochet continues to touch people, and inspire them to focus on what they CAN do, rather than what they can't. To be who they "truly" are, and to adjust expectations. She is a powerful dog, that affects change!
Ricochet has performed several honorable, heroic, enriching acts that inspire and contribute to the lives ofindividuals, her community, and the world at large.
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