Operation At Ease, Inc.

Operation At Ease offers a free guided service dog training program for veterans and first responders, pairing them with shelter dogs for post-traumatic stress and light mobility support. This program runs for eight months, with weekly small group classes (two to four teams) focusing on obedience and task training, including public access lessons. Upon completion, dogs and handlers are tested twice through the American Kennel Club and pass a public access test. Lifetime behavioral support is provided for the service dog at no charge.

For the general public, a variety of classes are available, with proceeds supporting the service dog program. These include the Canine Good Citizen Prep Class (8 weeks), Loose Leash Legends (7 weeks, for leash manners), Beginner Training Class (7 weeks, obedience), Pet Manners Class (6 weeks, key household skills), Cautious Canines (6 weeks, for anxious/fearful dogs), Fundamentals of Task Training (6 weeks, for service/therapy dog tasks), Puppy Academy (6 weeks, for pups under 5 months focusing on socialization and enrichment), and Intermediate Training Class (8 weeks, for dogs with prior training). Private one-on-one and virtual lessons are also offered for tailored training needs.

Pricing Summary

The service dog program is 100% free to veterans and first responders. Public classes are offered at a cost that supports the service dog program. Specific class donations include: First Responder Drop In ($190 for 8 weeks), Canine Good Citizen Prep Class ($175 for 5 weeks, plus $20 for the test), Loose Leash Legends ($175 for 7 weeks), Beginner Training Class ($145 for 5 weeks), Pet Manners Class ($215 for 6 weeks), Cautious Canines ($210 for 6 weeks), Fundamentals of Task Training ($180 for 6 weeks), Puppy Academy ($175 for 6 weeks), and Intermediate Training Class ($235 for 8 weeks). Additional fees apply for tests and annual insurance for the Therapy Dog Training Class. Private lessons are $80 for a single one-hour session or $300 for a bundle of four one-hour lessons. Virtual private lessons are $60 for 45 minutes. Freyja’s Fund assists with pet-related costs up to $500.

Policies

For the service dog program, applicants must commit to attending every class, as no make-up classes are available. Any missed classes due to extenuating circumstances must be discussed and approved by the trainer beforehand. Freyja’s Fund applications are reviewed every three weeks and are not for emergency funds; payments are made directly to services or via gift cards. For the Cautious Canines class, the first week is a dog-free orientation, and dogs must be people and dog friendly. The Intermediate Training Class requires dogs to be people and dog friendly with no bite history, have passed the AKC CGC test, and requires a health compliance form from a vet. The Therapy Dog Training Class has additional fees for tests and annual insurance.

Operation At Ease, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization dedicated to supporting veterans and first responders through dog training. They rescue dogs from shelters, pair them with deserving veterans and first responders, and provide a free guided training program for post-traumatic stress and light mobility service dogs.

The organization also offers public dog training classes, with all proceeds directly supporting their veteran service dog training program. Their unique advantage lies in their staff, who are all professional trainers with a minimum of ten years of experience, ongoing education, and personal connections to the military and first responder communities. They use only force-free, positive reinforcement methods.

Beyond training, Operation At Ease provides free therapy dog support and manages Freyja’s Fund, which offers immediate financial relief up to $500 to military personnel, veterans, and first responders for unexpected pet-related hardships. Behavioral support for service dogs is available for the life of the dog at no charge.

Accomplishments

The founder, Joni Bonilla, holds a degree in Animal Care and is an evaluator with the American Kennel Club, regularly attending seminars and conferences to maintain her education with current methods. The organization’s staff consists solely of professional trainers with a minimum of ten years of experience, outside continuing education, and first-hand knowledge of the community they serve. Many staff members are also AKC evaluators.

Operation At Ease is a recognized 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization. Joni Bonilla was honored with the Community Impact “Everyday Hero” Award in March 2018. The organization has been featured in numerous news outlets, including ABC News 10, The Daily Gazette, Spectrum News 1, WRGB News 6, CBS6 Albany, Albany Times Union, and San Antonio Current, and has been featured on podcasts and radio. They have received a $30,000 grant from the American Legion Department of New York and are a recipient of the 2024 and 2025 South High Marathon Dance events.

How to Get Started!

To apply for the service dog program, a 7-section application form is available online. For public classes, interested individuals can email Makenzie@operationatease.org to inquire about class schedules or browse the Class Catalogue on the website for program details and sign-up information for private classes. To schedule private lessons, clients should email makenzie@operationatease.org and then select a single lesson or a 4-pack bundle. Virtual private lessons can be reserved directly online. To request a therapy dog visit, contact Teri Rudolph at Teri@operationatease.org. For Freyja’s Fund, an application form is available, and certification and pet records must be emailed to Joni Bonilla at joni@operationatease.org.