Texas Service Dog with 250+ Southwest Flights Takes Her Final Trip Home

Last week Kaya, a German Shepherd with years of service, went home to Texas.

Dallas-based airline on Feb. 2, had a very special guest on a Love Field-bound plane: Kaya, a German Shepherd service dog who was taking her final flight.

Kaya, traveling with her handler, Cole Lyle, was recently diagnosed with an untreatable form of cancer, as the flight’s pilot said to passengers.

As the pilot explained, Kaya was trained to help veterans with their mental health. And even more notably, she inspired the PAWS Act, which created a program to give canine training for veterans dealing with post-traumatic stress diseases.

She was a respected passenger for Southwest, traveling on their planes with Cole, a Marine Corps veteran, more than 250 times.

“We have the solemn honor of taking her on what will be her last flight,” the pilot said, “as she goes home to rest where she was born and first met Cole.”

After the pilot’s announcement, the flight gave Kaya a round of applause, and she perked up from her blanket.

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When they arrived in Dallas, Cole carried Kaya off the plane, and Southwest provided a cart to help with her mobility problems in the terminal.

A few days later, Kaya passed away, according to Cole, who posted about her death on Twitter.

“My heart is broken, and I’m numb without,” Cole tweeted. “But it’s gladdened because you’re no longer in pain. Thank you for epitomizing ‘Semper Fidelis.'”