A TikTok of a service dog’s final Southwest flight has gone viral, leaving viewers in tears.
Kaya, a German Shepard trained to comfort veterans with Post-traumatic stress disorder, has flown with Southwest nearly 250 times everywhere in the country along with her handler Cole Lyle.
Southwest posted the TikTok Wednesday and it has since gained nearly 18 million views.
The heroic dog was diagnosed with untreatable cancer and was transported home to live out her final days in peace.
“We were honored to fly our loyal friend and hero, Kaya, home to rest after a lifetime of exertions. Throughout her profession, Kaya flew with us over 250 times to assist establish the PAWS Act which united Veterans with service dogs,” reads the video caption “We’re so grateful to be a component of her legacy, and we thank her and her owner, Cole, for his or her a few years of service.”
The video shows the dog laying on a mat on the ground of the plane and later being helped off by Lyle.
“We’ve got a special guest on today’s flight,” the pilot may be heard saying within the video. “Kays is a german shepherd service dog who has been along with her handler, Cole, since 2014. She was specifically trained to assist veterans address mental health issues.”
“Since the mixing of the PAWS act, it’s federal law that enables 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’ve the solemn honor of taking her on what will likely be her last flight as she goes home to rest where she was born and first met Cole.”
The pilots then invited passengers to “show her some love” once they touched down in Dallas before thanking the duo for his or her service. Passengers on the plane can then be heard cheering and clapping.
Several TikTok users were in floods over the pup’s final flight.
“This made me cry. so sorry may Kaya rest in peace,” said one user before revealing the dog had passed on Tuesday.
“Bawling my eyes out. God bless you Kaya,” said one other user.
“I’m literally in a puddle we Stan kaya she’s so beautiful and ideal we love you sweet girl,” cried a 3rd person.
“When she put her precious head up. Smiled on the best way out of the terminal. Thanks in your service. Fly high Angel,” chimed in a fourth person.
