This adorable Golden Retriever offers emotional support to veterans and vulnerable riders as a surf therapy dog.

Ricochet, 11, is a champion surf dog and, together with owner Judy Fridono, 61, works in San Diego, California.

She helps veterans through a pioneering and innovative therapy in which she offers emotional support.

The adorable clip shows her helping teach disabled children and adults how to surf.

Ricochet the Golden Retriever therapy dog surfs with diasabled people in San Diego, giving them emotional support

Ricochet, 11, is a champion surf dog and, together with Judy Fridono, 61, works in San Diego, California

Ms Fridono founded Puppy Prodigies, a non-profit organisation in 2006.

Along with Ricochet, the 61-year-old has offered canine-assisted programs where the dog hops on to a surfboard before hitting the waves with the vulnerable and disabled children and adults who reach out to Judy.

Judy said: 'Ricochet is the first ever canine-assisted surf therapy and adaptive surfing Dog.'

Since 2009, Ricochet has worked with hundreds of children with special needs, people with disabilities, and wounded veterans.

She was rejected from being a service dog because of her love of chasing birds but is now an accomplished surfer and uses her skills to help people with mental and physical disabilities take up the hobby.

Since 2009, Ricochet has worked with hundreds of children with special needs, people with disabilities, and wounded veterans

She was rejected from being a service dog because of her love of chasing birds but is now an accomplished surfer and uses her skills to help people

Ms Fridono founded Puppy Prodigies, a non-profit organisation in 2006. Along with Ricochet, the 61-year-old offers canine-assisted programs

She helps veterans through a pioneering and innovative therapy in which she offers emotional support

Miss Fridono said: 'When we put her on the surfboard it was amazing she could stand up straight and had incredible skill'

Her owner says Ricochet makes people feel better about themselves and focus on the positive things in life.

Miss Fridono said: 'When we put her on the surfboard it was amazing she could stand up straight and had incredible skill.

'One day at the beach, she jumped on a surfboard with a 14-year-old boy who had spinal cord injuries.

'It was that moment that her life purpose to surf with people who are disabled was realised.

'She's just such an inspiration to everyone - she's got such a strong connection to people and we see such improvements in the people who she surfs with.'