Charlotte Foster
Family & Pets

Loyal service dog's emotional final flight

A service dog has been honoured on her final flight after being diagnosed with an untreatable cancer. 

German Shepherd Kaya was trained to support veterans suffering post-traumatic stress disorder and was in the care of handler Cole Lyle.

After years of loyal service to Cole, Kaya was diagnosed with terminal cancer and recently boarded a South West Airlines flight in the US to live out her final days at home by Cole's side. 

Kaya received the very best treatment on the flight, and was honoured by the pilot and her fellow passengers in a heart-warming moment that has since gone viral online. 

"We have a special guest on today's flight," the pilot said. "Kays is a German Shepherd service dog who has been with her handler, Cole, since 2014. She was specifically trained to help veterans cope with mental health issues."

"Since the integration of the PAWS act, it is federal law that allows us to unify service dogs with Veterans with post-traumatic stress which was signed into law in 2021," continued the pilot.

"Sadly, Kaya was recently diagnosed with an untreatable cancer so we have the solemn honour of taking her on what will be her last flight as she goes home to rest where she was born and first met Cole."

The pilot then encouraged the passengers to "show her some love", as cheering and applauding erupted for Kaya. 

The tear-jerking moment was captured and posted to TikTok by the airline, with the video racking up over 18 million views. 

The video was shared along with the caption:"We were honoured to fly our loyal friend and hero, Kaya, home to rest after a lifetime of hard work. Throughout her career, Kaya flew with us over 250 times to help establish the PAWS Act which united Veterans with service dogs."

"We are so grateful to be a part of her legacy, and we thank her and her owner, Cole, for their many years of service."

The comments were flooded with praise for the canine, with one person writing, "Bawling my eyes out. God bless you Kaya".

Another wrote, "I'm literally in a puddle we Stan kaya she's so beautiful and perfect we love you sweet girl."

"We don't deserve dogs," another simply said.

It was later revealed in the comments of the video the Kaya had passed away at home by Cole's side. 

Image credits: TikTok

Tags:
family & pets, service dog, cancer, honour, flight