Meet Our Team
Ryan A. Onda
CEO/Founder and Lead Trainer
Ryan A. Onda is our Master Trainer who has learned many different training techniques from a wide variety of trainers and mentorship programs over the past eighteen years, including the Monks of New Skete’s Positive Reinforcement and Operant training method.
A graduate of Animal Behavior College, he had been working as the Paw the Way for Vet’s Supervisor before starting Semper Fi Service Dogs, LLC. Working with his original group of Veterans and rescue dogs, he has changed the life of every dog and person he has touched through his tireless energy and attention to detail. It is because of this energy and love that he has successfully trained and placed over 28 rescue dogs with Veterans, who still train with him today. He schedules and teaches all our classes, both group and private, and ensures the safety of the Veterans, volunteers, and his dogs. During it all, he helps create a bond between the Veteran and his dog that, through their lifetime, will continue to strengthen and grow, giving them both the confidence and freedom to live a life that they both deserve. Ryan’s dream is to improve the lives of each Veteran and dog he touches, and he looks forward to shaking the hand and "paw" of each newly bonded team during their Certification and Graduation Ceremony.
Debbie Kalmus
Executive Assistant
Debbie grew up with a love of animals, especially dogs. Debbie worked for several Outreach Programs over the years that provided food and other necessities to people in need and it was during that time she met many Veterans that struggled to make it from day to day. After speaking with Ryan one day, they realized that it was not by chance they were brought together and, deciding that they were on the same mission, Semper Fi Service Dogs, LLC was born.
Johnathon Musgrave
Public Affairs Officer/Veteran Liaison
Johnathon, a USN Veteran of 4 and a half years, was stationed in virginia as a Hospital Corpsman working in the emergency department at the Naval Medical Center Portsmouth. He saw many veterans and active duty military come to the hospital due to mental health issues. Due to the trauma that he has seen, Johnathon knows first hand of the struggles that veterans deal with on a daily basis. He has been working with various veteran organizations since he left the military in 2015. He is the owner/handler of Ruger, a boxer/pitbull mix.
David Kalmus
Chief Financial Officer
Dave is a retired Lieutenant with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office and during his thirty-seven years has learned and seen what stress can do to the body, both physically and mentally. Volunteering as a dog trainer for the Veteran’s Program, he realized how important a Service Dog can be for a Veteran and when his wife partnered with Ryan to form Semper Fi Service Dogs, LLC, he wanted to be a part of this ongoing mission.
Amanda Onda
Director of Philanthropy
Amanda, wife of Marine Corps Veteran Ryan, has twenty years of experience in hospitality including restaurants, hotels, and country clubs. She has strong operational skills, extremely personable and enjoys leading a team to success with high standards. Amanda has always loved dogs and grew up with lots of pets. She currently owns four dogs, all rescues of course and treats them like her children. A few years ago, her and her husband decided they wanted to change their life and work with dogs which bring so much joy to their lives. Semper Fi Service Dogs is their dream come true and want to dedicate their life to helping veterans and finding homes for dogs in need.
Kaylee Burkins
Assistant Trainer
Kaylee, an Army Veteran, was stationed in Germany where she served as a cook. She has been assisting Ryan train dogs since December 2019, reinforcing the training that has already been performed. Kaylee is owner/handler of Tenacity (TT), a terrier mix.
Alex Guerra
Special Event Support
Alex, an Army Veteran, was stationed in Germany where he served as a wheeled vehicle mechanic. Alex is owner/handler of Petey, a boxer/terrier mix.