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Join Ricochet as she takes you behind the scenes
Press Release / May 9, 2018
Photo: Rachel Jones Photography
Photo courtesy Surf Dog Ricochet
Photos courtesy Surf Dog Ricochet
Photo courtesy Surf Dog Ricochet
Photo: Rachel Jones Photography
Ricochet’s story of profound emotional healing will be told through the experiences of Staff Sergeant Persons B. Griffith IV (Griff), a Marine combat veteran with PTSD, her guardian, Judy Fridono, and two seven year old boys, Kennie Alvarez who has autism, and Logan Powell who has sensory processing disorder. Photos courtesy Surf Dog Ricochet and Rachel Jones Photography
Ricochet and Griff met through a six-week canine therapy clinic provided by Paws’itive Teams, and Naval Medical Center San Diego’s Wounded, Ill and Injured Wellness Program (WII). Photo courtesy Surf Dog Ricochet
After the clinic ended, Griff volunteered for Ricochet’s Waves of Empowerment program. An all-inclusive initiative that connects veterans and kids through the challenges they face… taking them from the battleground to the playground. Photo courtesy Surf Dog Ricochet
Each veteran becomes a mentor, and is paired one-on-one with a child for a day of paws-on healing through canine-assisted surf therapy, and other empowerment building activities. It has been found that being of service to another individual provides a sense of self-worth as well. Photo courtesy Surf Dog Ricochet
Confidence, trust and empowerment become the cornerstone of the surf session. Photo: Rachel Jones Photography
To that end, Griff gains new purpose by mentoring and encouraging Logan and Kennie to surf with Ricochet. Photos courtesy Surf Dog Ricochet
The boys also benefit by gaining their own personal hero as they become more confident, social and of course, empowered! Photos courtesy Surf Dog Ricochet
As Griff and the boys interact, it becomes clear how much more alike they are than different. These young boys and this marine… held hostage by their inner turmoil. All three battle an invisible challenge. And while scientists and specialists don’t always know what could help, Ricochet always does. Photo: Rachel Jones Photography
For example, when Ricochet senses Griff’s anxiety, she initiates eye contact which releases oxytocin, a hormone that acts as a neurotransmitter in the brain to reduce stress and anxiety. Photo courtesy Surf Dog Ricochet
Ricochet’s segment also chronicles the subtle and not so subtle behaviors she uses to communicate Griff’s physical or emotional distress. Fridono interprets the behavior, and Griff validates it.
This three-way communication helps Griff identify deep seated emotional trauma which he addresses with his therapists. As a result, his healing process advances more quickly. Photo courtesy Surf Dog Ricochet
Because the filmmakers were able to capture raw emotion from Griff, and corresponding behaviors from Ricochet, you’ll be able to see how she acted like a mirror, reflecting back his feelings, while displaying her empathy and intuition. This is how she detects and alerts to his triggers, anxiety and stress. Photo: Rachel Jones Photography
You’ll also see how she took responsibility for Griff, and prevented him from going in to situations that were overwhelming for him. She was able to avert panic attacks, melt downs and other anxiety provoking behavior. Photo courtesy Surf Dog Ricochet
It’s Ricochet’s wish that her segment will be the catalyst that gives hope to veterans with PTSD who are suffering in silence or contemplating suicide, as well as anyone else who is faced with emotional, physical or cognitive challenges.
Fridono believes all dogs have these healing powers. Unfortunately, we often misinterpret their cues as bad behavior. In doing so, we miss the magic every dog is capable of. Her hope is that others will gain a better understanding of the sentience of dogs, and how they are always communicating with us … we just have to listen.
Check out the following photos which take you behind the scenes in the making of this remarkable film.
The movie utilizes 3D cameras and computer graphics so that audiences may experience the world through the eyes, ears, and nose of a dog. Photo: Rachel Jones Photography
The IMAX camera is attached to the end of a crane that swivels 360 degrees. Photo courtesy Surf Dog Ricochet
Talk about 3D close-ups! Photo courtesy Surf Dog Ricochet
The director donned a wetsuit and got in the water to capture “that perfect shot.” Photo courtesy Surf Dog Ricochet
All the “extras” on set were kids, families and the water team that have been on Ricochet’s journey over the last 10 years. Photo courtesy Surf Dog Ricochet
An IMAX version of a GoPro was mounted to Ricochet’s Surftech surfboard. Photo courtesy Surf Dog Ricochet
This production assistant now has “belly rubs” in his job description! Photo: Rachel Jones Photography
Get ready for this 3D cinematic experience as Ricochet surfs right into your seat! Photo: Rachel Jones Photography
To learn more about the Superpower Dogs film, go to http://www.superpowerdogs.com.
To learn more about Ricochet, go to http://www.surfdogricochet.
To learn more about the weekly canine therapy program that Ricochet is part of, please go to Paws’itive Teams and the Naval Medical Center San Diego’s canine therapy program.
To unleash your own dog’s healing power, go to http://www.surfdogricochet.com/unleash-your-dogs-healing-power.html.
Photo courtesy Surf Dog Ricochet
