SWIMMING LESSONS - CANINE ASSISTED
Teaching a child to swim can save a life!
All inclusive
Our services are provided to kids of all ages and backgrounds, including those with autism, special needs, disabilities, fears and other challenges. The lessons are facilitated by specially trained human-canine team of swim instructor and aqua dog, Cori.
Kids are more motivated to cooperate and participate if they have a furry friend with them! This unique facet to a swim program cultivates a team effort in the water between the child, swim instructor and the dog which fosters a deeper sense of well-being between them all.
Kids are more motivated to cooperate and participate if they have a furry friend with them! This unique facet to a swim program cultivates a team effort in the water between the child, swim instructor and the dog which fosters a deeper sense of well-being between them all.
Drowning prevention & water safety
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Drowning, although preventable, is the leading cause of death for children ages one to four, and the third leading cause of death in children 19 and under.
However, the danger of drowning is much higher for children with special needs. In fact, drowning is the leading cause of death for kids with autism. Because of these statistics, Cori also raises awareness of water safety and drowning prevention. |
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Please visit our drowning prevention & water safety page for more info.
Canine-assisted swim lessons
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We are the only organization that offers such an innovative, highly specialized and effective program as canine-assisted swimming. We focus on underlying roadblocks that often manifest as fear, anxiety, dis-trust, combative behavior, non-compliance, and unresponsiveness. Our dogs provide an expeditious conduit that breaks through barriers much faster than their human counter-parts. The interaction between dog and child quickly fosters trust and acceptance.
Our program is a valuable adjunct to the traditional curriculum of swim instruction. Our techniques and strategies complement your existing protocols, as kids are given creative tools only a dog can provide. What can take months or years with traditional lessons can often be accomplished in one miraculous session! Click here to watch a video of three-year old, Caiden who was anxious and crying at his first swim lesson until one of our dogs got in the pool. This link is a segment CBS did on the program, and an article by the Union Tribune can be found by clicking here. |
Offering swim instructors another tool for their toolbox
Are you a swim instructor that thinks outside the box? Are you willing to try new methods of teaching? Do you have a student that has been taking lessons for an extended period of time, but still hasn’t learned to swim? Are you curious to see if Cori can help? If you would like to incorporate Cori's program to your curriculum, please email us at [email protected] and let’s get creative!
We encourage you to accompany the child to observe their behavior with the dog from our pool deck, but it’s not mandatory, as our human-canine team will work their magic! Barriers are typically broken quickly… sometimes with just one lesson. Then, you can build upon the trust that was garnered through the dog as you continue your regular lessons.
We encourage you to accompany the child to observe their behavior with the dog from our pool deck, but it’s not mandatory, as our human-canine team will work their magic! Barriers are typically broken quickly… sometimes with just one lesson. Then, you can build upon the trust that was garnered through the dog as you continue your regular lessons.
Check out this video to see how this six year old little girl will do a back
float alone with Cori, but is too scared to do one with the instructor.
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We are committed to serving all individuals, and do not deny services based on a person’s: inability to pay, race, color, sex, national origin, disability, religion or sexual orientation. Lessons are provided in our above ground, outdoor pool in a private San Diego location that has a zen-like atmosphere. The pool is above ground, and 12x22x4 feet. The water temperature is typically between 86-92 degrees. The pool chemistry is checked frequently by a pool maintenance company. There is a bathroom and changing room for privacy. Your tax-deductible donation will help cover the costs of equipment, pool/site rental fees, insurance, program management, etc. But, most importantly, your donation could save a life! Thanks for your support.
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Our program is endorsed by Ferruccio Pilenga and his dog Mas who Started the SICS Water Rescue Dog Training School in Italy. 
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Cori is making a splash with special-needs children
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When our new puppy, Cori first encountered our swimming pool, she was terrified (scroll down to the bottom for video). It took patience and baby steps, but she has turned into an avid swimmer who has a very high energy level and enthusiasm for anything water. She is also training to be a service dog and therapy dog.
Like Ricochet, she has chosen her own life purpose, and is already trying to save lives. Her favorite activity, besides eating, is water rescue. Although she has a natural instinct to immediately respond to activity in the water, she is also being formally trained to perform water rescue in case the need every arises. But her main area of focus is her own little niche... Canine-assisted swimming, coupled with canine-assisted playing for kids with with autism, special needs, fear of the water or other challenges. |
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This facet of our Waves of Empowerment program enhances the lives of the kids she works with through water and beach activities, such as learning to swim, safety awareness, mock water rescue, towing, water games, retrieval exercises and more. Cori's physical presence and interaction in the water also reduces anxiety and fears. Click the videos below to see Cori and the kids in action! |
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Cori's credentials
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Cori received her canine-good citizen certificate when she was 15 weeks old. She has gone on to become a certified goal directed therapy dog with Paws'itive Teams, and a registered therapy dog with Alliance of Therapy Dogs.
In addition, her handler Judy took the "swimming with autism" course by Aqua Pro's. 
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And of course, the amazing water rescue dog training they all received from SICS - Squadra Italiana Cani Salvataggio - Scuola Italiana Cani Salvataggio.
Five days of water rescue training in both the pool and ocean. After completion they received a certificate, but the best part was our canine-assisted swimming program being endorsed by Ferruccio Pilenga and his dog Mas who started the SICS program.
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Canine-assisted & adaptive swimming for kids with special needs
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Cori has a special affinity to kids with special needs such as autism, down syndrome, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, amputations, etc. She's able to help them reach their full potential through fun, sensory based, canine-assisted and adaptive swimming sessions.
We align with organizations, swim schools and swim instructors that help kids with special needs in the water. Cori is an added benefit to their recreation or swim program because she provides assistance like only a dog can! We also offer adaptive beach days through our Waves of Empowerment program where people with disabilities and kids with special needs get in the water with our volunteers to participate in mock water rescues. In these demos, the volunteer assists, as Cori tows them back to shore. These sessions typically include canine-assisted playing too, which inspires the kids and gives them confidence while having fun. |
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Water rescue
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Cori has an innate instinct and obsession to rescue people in water. It doesn't matter if it's a pool, a pond, a lake or the ocean. She thinks everyone needs to be rescued! She would be perfect for the Italian School of Rescue Dogs that assist the Coast Guard in saving swimmers who are drowning. She has never seen a person in distress, but I'm certain that she would jump in the water without instruction or hesitation to save them. As such, she is learning some of the techniques used by water rescue dog trainers. This way, we can take her instinct and combine it with proven methods for saving a life in the event she ever finds herself close to someone who is screaming for help. |
Canine-assisted activities in the water
We create a safe and nurturing environment for kids with special needs through the collaboration of swim schools, swim instructors, organizations, parents and others. Swim lessons are adapted to the child’s learning style in order to reduce anxiety while helping them realize their potential. Distractions around the pool are minimized, and an individual plan is developed for each child using creative canine-assisted exercises as outlined below.
Sample activities
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Benefits of canine-assisted swimming
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How much does it cost?
Canine-assisted swim lessons - Breaking barriers: $100 for one hour of private instruction. Classes include sensory play room before/after lesson (siblings are welcome to participate in playroom during student’s lesson).
Military families receive a 50% discount for each one hour lesson.
To register, go to http://www.surfdogricochet.com/registertoparticipate.html.
Military families receive a 50% discount for each one hour lesson.
To register, go to http://www.surfdogricochet.com/registertoparticipate.html.
Courtney's SandCastle
Courtney’s SandCastle is a universally accessible playground Located in the Vista Hermosa Sports Park & Aquatics Center. It serves children of all abilities, and is especially designed for children with physical, mental and sensory disabilities. Their mission is to ensure that the playground provides every child in their community fun and interactive play opportunities regardless of their abilities, while improving the quality of life; and foster diversity awareness, compassion and acceptance.
This venue is the perfect location for our "From the Battleground to the Playground" initiative where veterans are matched with kids with special needs for a day of canine-assisted play.
The playground includes a sensory garden with aromatic plants, bushes and plants, a musical pathway, producing auditory stimuli, several interactive water features (floating granite water sphere and a raised interactive simulated tide pool) a simulated 500-square foot castle themed play structure, with sloping wheelchair accessible ramps and more.
This venue is the perfect location for our "From the Battleground to the Playground" initiative where veterans are matched with kids with special needs for a day of canine-assisted play.
The playground includes a sensory garden with aromatic plants, bushes and plants, a musical pathway, producing auditory stimuli, several interactive water features (floating granite water sphere and a raised interactive simulated tide pool) a simulated 500-square foot castle themed play structure, with sloping wheelchair accessible ramps and more.
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The video to the right shows Cori going down the slide with Sawyer. You'll notice that two kids slide down after them. Cori goes up to each child to make sure they're ok. Each child gives the same response... patting her on the head. Both the kids and Cori completely knew how to interact with this second long, non-verbal form of communication. Dogs and kids... they just know! |
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Autism Society San Diego Surf Camp
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Ricochet has been surfing with the Autism Society of San Diego's surf camp for several years. But this summer, Cori got in on the fun. This special camp provides a one-on-one surf instructor aide for each child for the entire 4-day camp. Other activities include beach sports, arts & crafts and beach activities. Surf Camp takes place Monday thru Thursday 9am-2pm at La Jolla Shores Beach.
Aqua Pros Swim School manages and staffs the surf camp. We have begun collaborating with them regarding the swim lessons they provide to kids with special needs. We hope to bring Cori's program to their organization soon. Stay tuned! |
If you would like Cori and/or Ricochet to participate in your swim lessons or beach activities, or you'd like to have your kids part of canine-assisted playing, send an email to [email protected].
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Cori afraid to get in the pool
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Cori responds to splashing in the pool
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Cori practicing water rescue
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Thank you for your support
Drowning is the leading cause of death for children and adults with autism. But with your help, we can prevent accidents and drownings of all children. Please consider sponsoring a child or making a donation by clicking the donate button at the top of the page… and help save a life. Thank you!
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1. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
2. According to the National Autism Association.