Kaya the German Shepherd: A Beloved Ambassador for Service Dogs and Veterans’ Mental Health

By Matthew Russell

Kaya was a remarkable German shepherd who became a beloved ambassador for service dogs and veterans’ mental health across the United States. Sadly, Kaya left this world on February 4th, just shy of her 9th birthday.

“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,” Cole Lyle, Kaya’s owner, told NPR. “And if they hadn’t, they would have killed themselves.”

Service dog Kaya left this world on February 4, 2023.

Photo: Twitter / ctlyle1
Service dog Kaya left this world on February 4, 2023.

Returning from Afghanistan with PTSD, Lyle found that medication only worsened his symptoms over time. In 2014, he adopted Kaya and found an instant connection with the smart and intuitive dog.

Kaya stood by Lyle’s side as he advocated for service dogs as a treatment for PTSD, working with the nonpartisan advocacy group Mission Roll Call. Together, they successfully lobbied for the Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers (PAWS) Act, which was signed into law by President Biden in 2021, providing funding for service dogs for veterans struggling with mental health.

In December 2022, Lyle noticed an abnormal growth on Kaya’s front right leg and after further medical testing, Kaya was diagnosed with cancer. Despite medical intervention, including radiation therapy, it was clear that Kaya’s life could only be prolonged for a few more months. Lyle made the difficult decision to bring Kaya back home to Texas, where she spent her final days surrounded by friends and family.

“I just didn’t want her to be in pain, or continue to be stressed out going to veterinary appointments,” he said. “So I made the excruciating decision to take her home.”

Lyle made the difficult decision to bring Kaya back home to Texas, where she spent her final days surrounded by friends and family.

Photo: Twitter / k9sforwarriors
Lyle made the difficult decision to bring Kaya back home to Texas, where she spent her final days surrounded by friends and family.

Southwest Airlines, who flew Kaya and Lyle on numerous occasions to help establish the PAWS Act, shared a video of the touching journey on their TikTok account. The video went viral, receiving millions of views and a heartfelt tribute to Kaya’s legacy.

“Throughout her career, Kaya flew with us over 250 times to help establish the PAWS Act, which united veterans with service dogs,” the airline captioned the video. “We are so grateful to be a part of her legacy, and we thank her and her owner, Cole, for their many years of service.”

Lyle documented their journey on social media and expressed his gratitude for the outpouring of love and support they received. He captured the moment the entire terminal also cheered for Kaya when the pair arrived at the airport.

He hopes that Kaya’s story will continue to inspire people to remember the importance of mental health resources for veterans and the lifesaving role that service dogs can play.

Kaya's legacy will live on, as veterans continue to rely on service dogs for critical support.

Photo: Adobe Stock / 1jaimages
Kaya’s legacy will live on, as veterans continue to rely on service dogs for critical support.

“I certainly had no idea the extent to which it would resonate with people, and that people would want to be supportive,” he said. “I really want to acknowledge the people that took really good care of her, and made her feel comfortable and wanted to honor her in her last few days for all of her work, and everything she’s done for me, and for veterans across the country.”

Lyle took Kaya to some of her beloved spots in Dallas, including Texas A&M University where he graduated, after bonding with friends and family at a local pub. They spent their last precious moments together by a pond that held a special significance as one of Lyle’s favorite study spots.

“I just laid with her for several hours, and told her how much I loved her and how loved she was,” he said. “I just wanted her to feel comfortable and happy in her last few hours.”

By taking action to support service dogs for veterans, you can help improve the lives of veterans and make a positive impact on their communities.

Photo: Adobe Stock / Africa Studio
By taking action to support service dogs for veterans, you can help improve the lives of veterans and make a positive impact on their communities.

Lyle wishes that people will keep Kaya’s contributions in mind as she worked hard to raise awareness and advocate for the mental health needs of veterans. Kaya’s memory will live on through the countless lives she touched and the veterans she helped heal.

@southwestair

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. We are so grateful to be a part of her legacy, and we thank her and her owner, Cole, for their many years of service. ❤️

♬ Ambient-style emotional piano – MoppySound

Service dogs play an important role in helping veterans with mental health issues, including PTSD and traumatic brain injury, US News reports. These dogs are trained to assist and support veterans in their day-to-day lives, and can provide numerous benefits that can greatly improve a veteran’s quality of life.

Click below to take the pledge and help veterans thrive with the help of these incredible animals!

Neighborhood Kids Admit The Worst When Officers Find This Poor Dog Unresponsive and Near Death: Click “Next” below!

Matthew Russell
Matthew Russell is a West Michigan native and with a background in journalism, data analysis, cartography and design thinking. He likes to learn new things and solve old problems whenever possible, and enjoys bicycling, spending time with his daughters, and coffee.
Whizzco for FAP