Special needs dog has her brothers to rely on

Dog Loses Eyes to Glaucoma, 'Younger Siblings' 

Take on Role of Guide Animals

May 22, 2015, 2:18 PM ET

By EMILY SHAPIRO via GOOD MORNING AMERICA

After a vet tech's 10-year-old dog lost both eyes to glaucoma, 
her two younger pets stepped up to act as guides to the injured 
animal.

Kiaya is an Akita who lives in Waterford, Michigan, with her owner, Jessica VanHusen. "She's my furry daughter," VanHusen told ABC 
News today. "She's amazing." When Kiaya was diagnosed with 
glaucoma -- an eye condition that can cause blindness -- she had 
to have both of her eyes removed, VanHusen said. That's when 
Kiaya's "younger siblings"-- 8-year-old Cass and 2-year-old Keller-- jumped in to protect her.

PHOTO: After Jessica VanHusen 's 10-year-old dog Kiaya lost both of her eyes to glaucoma, her two younger pets, Cass and Keller, stepped up as guides.

"They were kind of bookends to her," VanHusen said. "They're not fiercely protective but they're always touching her. They're really respectful of her."

Dr. Gwen Sila is the veterinary ophthalmologist who operated 
on both of Kiaya's eyes.

"Her brothers are pretty amazing at the way they help to guide her around," Sila told ABC News. "Each of them will stand on either 
side of her so she doesn't bump into anything and lead her around 
the yard."

"Cass definitely took the role upon himself to guide her around the
yard which made me of course cry my eyes out," VanHusen said. "It's adorable."

"It's been wonderful. They're my kids," VanHusen added. "It's nice
to see them step up."