Texas A&M graduate Cole Lyle's German Shepherd was a special pup.
Kaya was a devoted service dog that specialized in helping veterans, like Lyle, who were experiencing mental illness.
Lyle told the Dallas Morning News, "The power that she had – anybody that owns a dog can tell you, they can be therapeutic – but specifically a trained dog to help with the symptoms.
"Layer on top of that, she was an ambassador for service dogs across the country."
Kaya traveled all over with Lyle, and her work helped pass through the PAWS Act, "Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers," federal legislation that that allows veterans with mental illness to unify with a service dog.
Unfortunately, Kaya, who has been with Lyle since 2014, was diagnosed with an untreatable cancer, and earlier this month rode her last Southwest flight, one of over 250 she took with the carrier while accompanying Lyle for lobbying and travel.
Video of her final trip went viral online.
I'm not crying 😢 you are!
— ATX Patriot (@ATX_PATRIOT) February 9, 2023
Kaya, the service dog 🐕🦺, for vets - flies her final flight ✈️ home to Texas.
Thank you 🙏🏼 for your service. Over 250 flights supporting our veterans.
May you be free as you cross over the rainbow 🌈 bridge. 🐾 ❤️
🎥: @SouthwestAir pic.twitter.com/oST7LEvDk5
Sadly, Kaya passed away February 4.
Lyle continues his advocacy in Virginia, as executive director of Mission Roll Call, a nonpartisan movement for veterans. He said Kaya changed the lives of many veterans, but he'll remember her as his girl.
"Kaya was always just so happy and willing to go out and be a comfort not only to me, but to anybody that was really having a tough day," he said.
LISTEN on the Audacy App
