Awesome Pics of Cancer Fighter Surfing with Surfing Dog Ricochet

 Caleb Acosta is  15-year-old  who was diagnosed with stage IV brain cancer last summer.

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With the help of the  Make-A-Wish Foundation Caleb wgot to  surf with Surf Dog Ricochet, a world-famous surfing therapy dog he had seen on TV.

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According to Ricochet’s website, she’s “the only dog in the world who surfs with kids with special needs, people with disabilities, wounded warriors, military families and veterans with PTSD as an assistive aid.”

The foundation flew the family out to California. Since the cancer has spread to his spine, Caleb was brought to the beach in a wheelchair and was helped onto the surfboard.

Dale Porter / Via Facebook: SurfDogRicochet

Caleb was a natural.

“My son is an amazing kid,” said Caleb’s mom Cathy. “So despite all his pain and all of his difficult situations that smile that you see, it’s always there. he always has it. … He’s stronger than we are, no doubt.”

Holding back tears, she told reporters, “Today’s a great day for our family.”

After the surfing, Caleb had a huge smile on his face. “I just felt almost normal, finally,” he said. “It felt really good to be free, just me, not worrying about anything.”

Dale Porter / Via Facebook: SurfDogRicochet

What’s next for the brave teen? “My goal right now is to eventually beat this cancer, and to tell everyone about it,” he said.

Dale Porter / Via Facebook: SurfDogRicochet

Meanwhile in Australia

Noosa Surf Dog Festival 2014 Dates Anounced

VetshopAustralia.com.au, the world-renowned on-line retailer of pet supplies, announced this week they would bring back the popular Surfing Dogs Spectacular for the third year running at the 2014 Cricks Noosa Festival of Surfing.

An instant hit when it was introduced at the 2012 Noosa Festival, the Surfing Dogs Spectacular has become one of the festival’s most popular events, attracting thousands of non-surfers to Noosa’s Main Beach and being seen around the world on social media.

Festival director Phil Jarratt said he was thrilled that VetshopAustralia.com.au had come back on board with a bigger two-day program of events for dog lovers and surfers who love dogs. 

“To be honest, when VetshopAustralia.com.au came to us with this idea, we didn’t know what to think. But it didn’t take us long to realise that the Surfing Dogs have an irresistible and universal appeal. Everyone loves to see dogs having fun on the beach, but our surfing dogs have delight written all over them every wave they catch.”

VetshopAustralia.com.au’s Director and head Veterinarian, Dr Mark Perissinotto, said the award-winning on-line retailer had found a great fit with the Noosa Festival, with coverage of the Surfing Dogs taking their brand around the world.

VetshopAustralia.com.au’s Surfing Dog Spectacular will begin with two free public workshops on Saturday 8th March, both hosted by world champion waterman and dog trainer Chris De Aboitiz. 

On Saturday morning at 9am at Noosa Spit, Chris will hold a beginners workshop, inviting the general public to bring their four legged companions along for a crash course in surfing, plus general tips on dog water safety and obedience. On Saturday afternoon at the PJ Burns Festival Village, Chris will hold a Master Class for intermediate surfing dogs and owners.  

In the lead-up to the Festival’s traditional Hawaiian opening ceremony at sunset on Sunday 9th March, the VetshopAustralia.com.au Surfing Dog Spectacular will feature Chris and the best of Australia’s surfing dogs in an exhibition contest that is guaranteed to delight the capacity crowd. 

In keeping with beach regulations, all participating dogs will be kept strictly in the control of their owners throughout the event and will be on leads when on the sand.

VetshopAustralia.com.au will also be offering online customers and festival-goers the chance to win a fantastic family prize package including a Quintrex 420 Busta runabout and stand up paddle board, valued at $10,000.