A German Shepherd named Kaya was more than just an adorable face. She was the loyal service dog of Marine veteran Cole Lyle. She was a crucial part of helping Lyle deal with his post-traumatic stress, but training her wasn’t cheap. So, Lyle and Kaya worked together to pass the PAWS Act to help other veterans get service dogs.
Sadly, this heroic and beloved service dog was recently diagnosed with untreatable cancer. Many people came together to give her a heartwarming and memorable send-off. Kaya not only made a big impact on Lyle but also on thousands of people around the world.
Veteran and Dog Meet
Lyle enlisted as a mechanic for the Marine Corps back in 2008. In 2011, he was trained as a wrecker operator when he was deployed to Afghanistan’s Helmand Province. During his time there, he developed post-traumatic stress. He never adds “disorder” to the end when talking about it.
“I don’t necessarily think it’s a disorder per se because I think people can learn as I did, and as millions of other veterans do, to mitigate those symptoms and to live a full and complete life,” Lyle said.
When Lyle left the Marines in 2014, Veterans Affairs doctors prescribed him medications and therapy, but nothing seemed to help. Yet, when he met 10-week-old Kaya, everything changed. Her training and initial veterinary care added up to about $10,000, but Lyle needed Kaya in his life.
“Even as a puppy, dogs can provide a sense of purpose that pills and therapy just won’t ever do,” Lyle said. “They need to be taken care of, and you always have that companion kind of by your side, even if they’re not trained.”
Kaya Makes the World Better
Kaya was fully trained by 2015. She knew how to wake Lyle up from nightmares and stop his anxiety attacks. If she suspected that Lyle was upset, she would jump up and lick his face to calm him down and prevent his mood from worsening.
Lyle’s life would’ve been much darker without Kaya by his side. However, not all veterans can afford a service dog if they need one. So, Lyle grew determined to get the PAWS Act passed. Any time he had meetings about it with representatives and senators, Kaya stood by his side.
“She was the face, really, of this effort,” Lyle said. “I mean, sure, I might be convincing, and I might be able to tell this story. But she was really the closer.”
The PAWS Act passed in August 2021, and Kaya was by Lyle’s side every step of the way. The act requires the VA to help pay for service dogs for veterans who need them.
Throughout Lyle and Kaya’s many adventures together, the pup also comforted other humans when needed. She had a gift for knowing when someone was upset or needed help. Plus, her being present helped get a life-changing act passed.
Service Dog’s Final Flight
At the end of 2022, Lyle found an unusual bump near Kaya’s elbow. When he took her to the vet, they confirmed she had cancer that had spread across her body. Even with treatment, she was only given a few months to live, and she would be in pain for those months. So, Lyle knew it was time to say goodbye.
Kaya flew on planes with Lyle about 320 times. 250 of those times were SouthWest flights to places where the duo fought for the PAWS Act. So, on the flight home to Texas, Lyle let SouthWest know that it would be Kaya’s final flight. The employees didn’t disappoint. Before taking off, the pilot made a special announcement to honor Kaya.
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“We were honored to fly our loyal friend and hero, @kayalyle, 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. We are so grateful to be a part of her legacy, and we thank her and owner @ctlyle for their many years of service,” Southwest wrote on Instagram.
When Kaya arrived at the Dallas airport, thousands of people greeted her and welcomed her home. Then, Lyle drove her around her hometown so everyone who knew her could say goodbye. Kaya got a delicious breakfast of pancakes, eggs, ham, and bacon the next day. Not long after, it was time to say goodbye.
Lyle isn’t ready to get another service dog yet, but he’s not sure if he’ll ever need one. Kaya helped him in so many ways, and the impact she had on him will last a lifetime.
“She made me better than who I was,” Lyle said, “and saved my life.”
Watch the Flight’s Emotional Announcement Here:
Featured Image: Instagram
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via Whisker Therapy