'Sadly, Kaya was recently diagnosed with an untreatable cancer': Special honour for service dog

A service dog has been honoured during her final flight after the beloved canine was diagnosed with cancer.

German Shepherd Kaya was trained to support veterans suffering post-traumatic stress disorder and was in the care of handler Cole Lyle.

Following years of service, Kaya was diagnosed with terminal cancer and recently boarded a South West Airlines flight in the US to live out her final days at home.

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Kaya was carried onto the flight, during which pilot shared Kaya's story with fellow passengers.

"We have a special guest on today's flight," the pilot said. "Kays is a German Shepherd service dog who has been with her handler, Cole, since 2014. She was specifically trained to help veterans cope with mental health issues.

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"Since the integration of the PAWS act, it is federal law that allows 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 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 then invited passengers to "show her some love" prompting them to erupt into cheering and applauding Kaya.

A TikTok video of the moving moment has been shared by South West Airlines and viewed 17.9 million times.

The video was shared along with the caption: "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."

It was later revealed in the comments section of the TikTok video that Kaya had passed away on Tuesday.

"This made me cry. so sorry may Kaya rest in peace," one commented.

"Bawling my eyes out. God bless you Kaya," another shared.

One TikToker wrote: "I'm literally in a puddle we Stan kaya she's so beautiful and perfect we love you sweet girl."

"When she put her precious head up. Smiled on the way out of the terminal. Thank you for your service. Fly high Angel," another said.

"We don't deserve dogs," another simply said.