Watch: Surf therapy dog Ricochet likely rides last wave amid health struggles

SAN DIEGO — A California therapy dog who gained viral fame for catching waves with wounded veterans and children with disabilities likely has surfed for the last time.

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According to KFMB-TV and Surfer Today, Ricochet, a golden retriever who has worked in surf therapy and adaptive surfing since August 2009, now has a cancerous mass in her liver, kidney disease and arthritis. The health challenges have slowed down the 14 1/2-year-old pooch, who has shared surfboards with hundreds of humans over her nearly 13-year career, Surfer Today reported.

“So, today the the tide has turned. I was the one needing assistance to surf,” read a Saturday post from the dog’s official Instagram account.

“I’m not going to say I’ll never surf again, but today was most likely my last wave,” the post continued.

Adaptive surfing champion and U.S. Army veteran Jose Martinez, who lost his legs and an arm 10 years ago in a blast in Afghanistan, was there to help as his frequent supporter stood on her board Saturday in La Jolla Shores, KFMB reported. Cameras were rolling as the pair rode the waves together.

“I was pretty much told I would be in a wheelchair for the rest of my life, so for me to be able to help out the dog that helped me kickstart my surfing career and my surfing life, it is just as if I am filling her cup up as much as she is filling mine up,” Martinez told the news outlet.

The dog’s guardian, Judy Fridono, called the moment “a beautiful ending to a beautiful surfing story,” Surfer Today reported.

Ricochet is scheduled to see an oncologist Wednesday, according to an Instagram update posted Monday.

“Thanks so much for always supporting me,” the post read. “Especially during this difficult time for my human who has to make decisions.”

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