Watch ‘hero’ service dog get emotional tribute on final Southwest flight home to Texas
A famous service dog got a round of applause as she took her final flight home to Texas at age 8.
Southwest Airlines shared a heartwarming (and wrenching) video honoring Kaya, a German shepherd, who had flown with the airline more than 250 times during her career as a service dog.
Kaya, along with her owner Cole Lyle, worked to help pass the Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers (PAWS) Act in 2021, NPR reported. Lyle adopted Kaya in 2014 after returning from Afghanistan and suffering from PTSD, the outlet said.
“Kaya greatest legacy is — and always will be — the veterans who reached out and told me that she inspired them to get their service dog,” Lyle, told NPR. “And if they hadn’t, they would have killed themselves.”’
Kaya was Lyle’s partner in lobbying for veteran mental health support, but she had cancer surgery in January, WFAA reported.
After Kaya continued to suffer eating and balance issues due to the cancer, which metastasized, Lyle told WFAA he made the decision to fly her home to Texas and lay her to rest.
“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,” Southwest Air wrote on Instagram about the duo. “We are so grateful to be a part of her legacy, and we thank her and owner for their many years of service.”
Lyle tweeted that his heart was broken after her death, and he felt “numb” without his companion, but he was glad she was no longer in pain.
“Thank you for epitomizing ‘Semper Fidelis,’” Lyle wrote, which translates to “always faithful.”
This story was originally published February 10, 2023 at 11:56 AM with the headline "Watch ‘hero’ service dog get emotional tribute on final Southwest flight home to Texas."
