About Operation At Ease, Inc.

Operation At Ease is a Schenectady nonprofit that does something very specific: it takes dogs out of shelters, pairs them with veterans and first responders, and runs a free guided training program that turns the pair into a post-traumatic stress or light-mobility service-dog team.

The program

Training covers obedience and the practical public-behavior skills a psychiatric service dog needs – the organization's published examples include the dog switching sides on request to buffer crowds, sitting in front of the handler when people approach, and helping the handler through a panic attack. Classes run once a week at the organization's training facility in Rotterdam over a period of months.

Who can join

Veterans and first responders. Dogs are usually sourced by the organization from shelters and rescues, but a veteran who already owns a dog with a suitable temperament can go through the program with that dog.

How it is funded

The organization states that it receives no state or federal funding and no grants; the program is free to the handler and paid for by donations. It was founded by Joni Bonilla.