Veteran's Best Friend: Service Dogs Transforming Lives Across Palm Beach

In 2025, Semper Fi Service Dogs, a nonprofit organization in Palm Beach County, Florida, continues its mission of rescuing dogs and training them to serve veterans struggling with PTSD, traumatic brain injuries, and military sexual trauma. Founded by Ryan Onda in 2020, the organization has connected over 100 veterans with service dogs in the past five years, providing these life-changing companions at no cost to the recipients.

Onda, a former Marine and 9/11 survivor, understands the impact of post-traumatic stress firsthand. After facing his own mental health challenges, he decided to return to his lifelong passion of dog training, creating Semper Fi to help other veterans in need. The organization's services include covering rescue fees, training, vaccinations, and any necessary equipment, ensuring veterans can access these vital resources at no personal expense.

The impact of Semper Fi's work has been profound, with veterans reporting significant improvements in their mental health and daily lives. "Every single one of our veterans are taking less medications now than when they started off," Onda says. "They're comfortable going in and out of stores, anywhere they want, in public with their dogs. It gives them their life back."

One particularly inspiring story involves a veteran who had planned to take his own life before discovering Semper Fi on television. "Before he met me, he had already written his suicide letter," Onda recounts. "He had his will and testament. He bought the gun and he was planning on killing himself on a certain date. Then he saw us on the television and decided to give us a try. Now he no longer wants to kill himself. He flies all over the country with his dog. He goes on cruises with his dog, and he's alive because of his dog and this program."