(L-R) Semper Fi’s Sandro Soler, Johnathon Musgrave, Jessalyn Macomber and Ryan Onda with their service dogs.On Sunday, Nov. 23, the community is invited out to Royal Palm Beach Commons Park as hundreds of runners and plenty of dogs compete in the Turkey Trot 5K. Packet pick-up starts at 8:30 a.m., and the 5K gets underway at 10 a.m.
The event is the major annual fundraiser for Semper Fi Service Dogs, a local organization that rescues dogs, commits to their care and rehabilitation, and trains them as service dogs for veterans suffering from service-connected post-traumatic stress, traumatic brain injury and military sexual trauma.
Semper Fi works under the motto, “No vet left behind.” The need is great, and they like to remind supporters, “One donation changes two lives.”
Semper Fi’s recipe for success calls for rescuing dogs from overflowing local shelters. The team, led by founder Ryan Onda, takes about a year to train each dog.
“Our dogs lived in shelters, caged, alone,” he said. “We take the unwanted dogs, all sizes, and teach them to be good dogs, to serve, and to love again. We invest time and training into each dog. These working dogs pay us back with obedience and emotional support.”
To date, Semper Fi has helped about a hundred veterans and their dogs.
“We rescue the broken. Some need medications, some need care, all need love. This holds true for the dog, as well as the veteran. Joy comes back into the heart, laughter even, for both,” Onda said.
Semper Fi is a closely knit pack of veterans who have trauma in common. Each has experienced the unspeakable. Jessalyn Macomber, the group’s female veteran liaison, was sexually assaulted in Afghanistan by a superior officer. She was shunned and shamed when she tried to get justice.
“I felt my life spinning out of control,” she recalled. “The meds only numbed me, and I felt something missing. Until Bluey came into my life.”
Bluey is her pit bull service dog, rescued from Justin Bartlett Animal Rescue, who are allies of Semper Fi. “If it weren’t for Bluey and Semper Fi, I don’t know where I would be. I feel now like I’m back on the squad, part of a team doing good things,” Macomber said.
Johnathon Musgrave, a former Navy Corpsman, is the group’s veteran liaison.
“After leaving the service, I was so suicidal and strung out that I could barely leave the house,” he said. “I couldn’t do stores. Now, after having my dog Ruger for more than a year, I got out of the hole. I don’t want to kill myself anymore. I only want to help my fellow vets.”
Combat veteran Sandro Soler wonders who rescued whom. His service dog Cody was so abused that the previous owner went to jail.
“I was in a terrible place. I used alcohol and drugs to cope. I couldn’t handle loud noises or crowds. I was always hyper-vigilant. Now, Cody helps me cope. He is my best friend,” Soler said.
About 300 runners competed in last year’s Turkey Trot, and Semper Fi’s Onda welcomes all to attend. Festive attire is encouraged with a prize for best dressed. All leashed, friendly, preregistered dogs are welcome to attend. After the race, look for live music, prizes, vendors and a food truck.
When asked for the group’s wish list right now, without hesitation Onda said, “I don’t care about the money. We are looking for vets who could benefit from our service dogs.”
Then, pausing, he corrected himself. “We actually do need money to rescue the dogs, train them and connect them with vets,” Onda said. “We appreciate any sponsors or donors stepping forward. Remember, one donation both helps a vet and rescues a dog.”
Ryan currently has nine dogs in various states of training at his Loxahatchee home. Two have been already trained and are waiting for a veteran who needs rescue.
To register for the Turkey Trot 5K, to become a sponsor or for more information, visit www.semperfiservicedogs.org.
