In Memoriam: Surf Therapy Dog Haole Boy Murphy
Image credit: Jean Pierre Provo
The surf therapy community came together in Ventura last weekend at a paddle out to mourn one of their own. The Cove at C-Street was filled with well-wishers, all gathered to pay respects to a fallen hero with four paws: surf therapy dog Haole Boy Murphy.
Haole’s dog-Mom, Kim Murphy
If you’ve ever been lucky enough to watch Haole surf, you know it was a (somewhat humbling) sight to behold.
Steep takeoffs? Stylishly casual. Slamming beach break? No problem. But the real magic was to see him interact with children with special needs, how he disarmed them with his quiet dignity, bolstered their confidence and opened them up to venturing out into the waves. “Well, if Haole can do it….”
Non-profit A Walk On Water presented Haole’s paw-rents, Kim and John Murphy, with a custom surf therapy board with an inscription that captured the sentiment of the day:
“Thank you for the smiles and the rides of our lives.
Haole Boy
AWOW OG Forever.”
We hope Haole is up there surfing glassy peelers in doggie heaven. Thank you for your service. Good boy.
Special guests included Haole’s brother, Primo (here with Kim Murphy), who doesn’t surf but enjoys the occasional saltwater session.
