Silke Jasso
An emotional TikTok video featuring Kaya, a German Shepard who was trained to provide comfort to veterans with PTSD, has gone insanely viral on the internet, leaving people in tears. Along with her dad Cole Lyle, the pup has flown on Southwest Airlines almost 250 TIMES across the country.
Videos by Rare
The video was posted by Southwest last week and has since garnered more than 18 million views. Tragically, Kaya was diagnosed with incurable cancer and was flown home to spend her remaining days in peace with her family.
“We were honored 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,” the caption stated. “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.”
Kaya, The German Shepard Goes Viral
The video shows Kaya laying on a mat on the floor of the plane and later being helped off by Lyle by being carried off the plane.
“We have a special guest on today’s flight,” the pilot announced on the flight. “Kaya 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.”
He continued, “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.”
“Sadly, Kaya was recently diagnosed with an untreatable cancer so we have the solemn honor of taking her on what will be her last flight as she goes home to rest where she was born and first met Cole.”
He went on to invite passengers to “show her some love” as they touched down in Dallas, Texas, before thanking both for their service. Passengers on the plane can then be heard clapping and cheering.
