If you’re a dog lover, support our military and/or are a proud American, then you don’t want to miss this emotional video posted by Southwest Airlines. RELATED: Watch: Finally! A Feel-Good Story Aboard Southwest Airlines When Pilot Surprises Passenger
But before you watch it, be sure to grab a tissue and postpone any phone calls by a few minutes since you will most certainly tear up and have a lump in your throat.
The one-minute and 26-second video records the captain’s special announcement and shows the German Shepherd service dog lying on the bulkhead floor of a Southwest Airlines 737.
The pilot can be heard saying the following:
“We have a special guest on today’s flight. Kaya is a German Shepherd service dog who’s been with her handler since 2014. She was specifically trained to help veterans cope with mental health issues.”
“She was the inspiration for the PAWS Act, it’s a federal law that allows us to unify service dogs with Veterans with post-traumatic stress which was signed into law in 2021. Lobbying for the PAWS act and traveling with Cole, Kaya has flown on Southwest over 250 times out of the 320 flights she’s been on. Sadly, Kaya was recently diagnosed with an untreatable cancer so we have the solemn honor of taking her on what will be her last flight as she goes home to rest where she was born and first met Cole.”
The pilot went on to say: “If you have the opportunity and feel so inclined, feel free to search for her story. Pay her a visit when we arrive in Dallas to show her some love. On behalf of Southwest Airlines, your two Veterans up front, we thank both Kaya and Cole, a Marine Corps Veteran, for their service.”
Passengers can then be heard cheering and clapping before Kaya lifts her tired head up to look around.
Then Southwest Airlines posted a photo of Cole carrying Kaya off the plane with the caption: “Thank you, Kaya and Cole, for your service. Words cannot describe how thankful we are for everything you two have done for both your country and fellow veterans.”
Kaya is then seen being wheeled in a luggage cart, lying on top of a soft furry blanket with the caption: “For her last flight we made sure Kaya got the world class treatment and honor she deserved.”
Southwest was all over the news over the holidays because of their epic Christmas meltdown. But this video will definitely make some viewers have a different kind of meltdown.
Here are some of the most popular comments on the video:
- Mary: This made me cry. so sorry may Kaya rest in peace.
- User6728983986221: Sweet Kaya, rest easy pretty girl. ??♥️
- Reagan&Winnie: God bless Cole & Kaya! Thank you SWAfor showing love & respect.
- Albury Mavis: I’m literally in a puddle?? we Stan kaya she’s so beautiful and perfect we love you sweet girl? @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. ❤️
@southwestairWe 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
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–48 Ways to Honor a Veteran For Their Service
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The love between a four legged soul and their human can only be measured in hearts. I cried
for Kaya, and for Cole, and for all the fur souls I have lost to eternal sleep.
Thank You Kaya!
Thank You Cole!
Thank you for the clip – bless Cole and Kaya – was beautiful to see the care given back to such a beautiful dog.