Kiya & Cinema

A Cinematic Connection

Everyone deserves a fairytale ending, and for a vibrant young woman named Kiya, her happily ever after is in the form of her Freedom Service Dog and best friend, Cinema.

Living with quadriplegia, paralysis, and autism, Kiya has never let her disabilities stand in the way of her dreams. She loves exploring, going to festivals, and connecting with others. But before Cinema, navigating everyday life came with unique challenges.

Opening doors, pressing automatic buttons, and transferring from her wheelchair all came with risks. Putting on and taking off her coat was often so difficult that Kiya would choose not to put one on despite freezing temperatures. And picking up dropped items also posed serious danger. When leaning out of her wheelchair to retrieve something, she would occasionally fall out and couldn’t get back up without help. Sometimes, she would be stuck on the floor for hours before someone found her.

A young woman with disabilities in a wheelchair hugging her yellow Labrador retriever service dog wearing a red Freedom Service Dogs service dog vest.

When Kiya learned about the type of assistance service dogs can provide, she discovered a new dream—one where she had a furry partner who steadied her world and always stayed by her side.

Kiya shared, “I thought service dogs were for someone who needed significant physical assistance. Because I was able to maintain most of my independence, I didn’t think I was disabled enough to qualify. But then I met someone else in a wheelchair with a service dog who told me all the things their dog could do, and I thought I probably could benefit from something like that. So I decided to shoot my shot and reach out to Freedom Service Dogs (FSD).” 

In the winter of 2024, Kiya finally met the dog she had been long waiting for—a dainty, starry-eyed yellow Labrador retriever named Cinema. And just like movie magic, their connection was love at first sight. 

“As soon as I met her, I knew she was my girl,” Kiya said. “I had never felt anything like it before. She was my other half and my doggy soul mate. It was like FSD chose a dog that was me in dog form. They knew we’d be perfect together, and they were right!”

On their first night together, Cinema rested her head in Kiya’s lap and fell asleep. In that quiet, heartfelt moment, Kiya cried tears of joy knowing her life was about to change forever in ways she had only imagined. 

And it did. 

Kiya sitting on a couch with her yellow Labrador Retriever sitting on her lap.

Since being matched with Cinema in February 2024, Kiya has gained more independence, freedom, and comfort thanks to Cinema’s skilled assistance and companionship. Cinema was custom-trained to help Kiya by opening and closing doors and drawers, pulling laundry out of the dryer, creating space in crowds, providing comfort during stressful moments, and helping Kiya brace during wheelchair transfers. She was also trained to help tug off coats and clothing, and now, Kiya never leaves the house without a layer when it’s cold outside. Cinema was also specially trained to retrieve and pick up dropped items, which has eliminated the need for Kiya to bend out of her wheelchair and put herself at risk of falls. 

One wintry night, Kiya and Cinema were outdoors when Kiya hit a bump and fell out of her wheelchair. Her phone landed out of reach, and no one was around. Without hesitation, Cinema sprang into action and brought Kiya the phone so she could call for help. Because of her quick thinking, Kiya was able to get assistance within minutes. In that moment, Cinema’s training was quite literally life-saving. 

“I would’ve been there for hours in the cold if Cinema hadn’t been there. I’m terrified to think of what might have happened to me,” Kiya added. “But because of her, I was able to get help immediately. My furry knight in shining armor was there for me. She saved my life, and since then, she has saved my life countless times more.” 

While the physical assistance Cinema provides is incredibly valuable, the love, devotion, and sense of security she brings Kiya is equally game changing. Cinema is Kiya’s best friend, and her presence continues to help Kiya grow personally and professionally. “Cinema makes my life feel so much safer,” Kiya shared. “I don’t know what I’d do without her. She is the light of my life.”

A young woman in a wheelchair with her yellow Labrador Retriever service dog on her lap.
A yellow Labrador Retriever service dog with her head resting on her human's lap.
A young woman laying in bed with her two dogs, one of which is an elderly black and white dog and the other is a sleeping yellow Labrador Retriever.

Through her partnership with Cinema and her experience with FSD, Kiya has gained more than assistance and empowerment. She has also found a sense of community and newfound purpose. “When I went to FSD, I found my people,” she said.

Inspired by her own journey and the stories of others FSD has served, Kiya is now deepening her activism for people with disabilities and advocating for normalizing the need for service dogs. She shared, “I want others to experience what I have with Cinema. It’s been an amazing, life-changing experience, and I want to help give this gift to other people like me.” 

With her best friend and loyal partner Cinema always at her side, life truly feels like a movie for Kiya. And together, their happily ever after is only just beginning. 

A young woman in a wheelchair named Kiya wearing a dress and pink boots. Beside her is her yellow Labrador retriever service dog, Cinema, wearing a red service dog vest from Freedom Service Dogs.
Cinema, a yellow Labrador Retriever, wearing a pink collar and a red Freedom Service Dogs service dog vest.
A young woman in a wheelchair named Kiya wears a white and yellow dress. She is smiling at her yellow Labrador retriever service dog, Cinema, who wears a red Freedom Service Dogs service dog vest.

When you support Freedom Service Dogs, you help us partner more highly-skilled FSD Service Dogs like Cinema with individuals in need like Kiya at absolutely no cost! Give now and help us make a difference one dog at a time.

If this story made your tail wag, you may also enjoy: 

Brian & Guster: A Brighter Tomorrow

Gunnar & Otto: The Gift of Freedom

Lara & Mushu: Passing the Leash

Published on 12/09/2025

Contact Erin Conley at econley@freedomservicedogs.org for all media inquiries.