In the SICS exercise below, Cori is towing three individuals, the human part of her team, a “crisis victim”, and another less critical “victim” who is holding onto her vest.

Cori started showing an instinct for water rescue when she was 9 months old which prompted the canine-assisted swimming program.

Then it was back to water rescue. Although Cori didn’t jump out of a helicopter (yet), the trainers were impressed with her courage and quick learning capacity.

So Ricochet gave them a lesson, and they hit the waves!

Although Valentina and Simone spend a great deal of time in the water, they had never surfed.

The trainers, Valentina Pilenga and Simone Galbiata spent five days teaching their water rescue methods to Cori, her handler, Judy Fridono and swim instructor Jodi Powell from Special Fishies Aquatic Freedom and Education.

SICS dogs are the only ones in the world that dive into water from helicopters, hovering over the water while providing aid to people in distress.

Around the country millions of people will be indulging their sweet tooth this Easter, but not everyone will be aware of the danger that chocolate poses to their four-legged friends. That’s why leading animal welfare charity Battersea Dogs & Cats Home is issuing advice to keep your chocolate eggs and bunnies well out of reach of your dog.