Debra Skelton Honors Ricochet at Dogswell Wag Awards

She may be best known for her comic quips on MadTV, but Debra Skelton is serious about her love of animals. Over the course of her career she has used her star wattage to shine a spotlight on the continuing problem of puppy mills, has shown her support for a number of animal organizations including the Linda Blair WorldHeart Foundation, Animal Avengers and Animal Acres, and has attended more light-hearted happenings, such as the Nuts for Mutts Dog Show and Pet Fair, Count FLuFFulas Costumes and Cocktails Costume Party for Dogs and People and the World’s Ugliest Dog Competition. On February 18, 2010 the funny lady hosted the first annual Dogswell Wag Awards at Hollywood hot spot Les Deux, where she joined in the applause for the Rovers receiving well-deserved recognition.

During the Fido-friendly presentation, tail-wagging YouTube surfing sensation Ricochet was honored with the Most Charitable award. Trained since puppyhood to be a part of Puppy Prodigees Neo-natal and Early Learning Program, Ricochet’s penchant for chasing birds may have brought the thought of life as a service dog to an end, but trainer Judy Fridono soon discovered that the worlds of surfing and service get along together swimmingly as the Golden Retriever began to ride to waves with quadriplegic teen Patrick Ivison.

The cowabunga canine has helped to raise close to $20,000 for charities, and along with a grant by WebMD Health Foundation helped to pay for three years of physical therapy for her surfing buddy, who is currently working toward the day when he hopes to walk across the stage to receive his high school diploma.

Among the prizes Ricochet received for her efforts was a year’s supply of Dogswell dog food, which was donated to the AniMeals program at the Helen Woodward Animal Center.

To find out more about Ricochet’s inspiring work:

• visit www.surfdogricochet.com

Photo courtesy www.surfdogricochet.com; Photo by Seth Casteel/LittleFriendsPhoto.com

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