Abilene, Texas (CNN/KRBC, KTAB) — Clay Luthy recently served out country. “Three deployments out of Uzbekistan, and then two out of Qatar.”
After multiple knee surgeries, including a reconstructive surgery, “…and they wouldn’t let me reenlist,” said Clay.
But that didn’t stop Clay and Charlotte from getting a job. “We were interviewing people for his position and he was one of the applicants, and so he showed up for the interview, and he had Charlotte with him,” said Lowe’s human resource manager Jay Fellers
Clay wanted to make sure that Charlotte wouldn’t be an issue. “He told me and said ‘Oh no absolutely…we’ve got service dogs that work all throughout Lowe’s.’” And a few weeks later–“They offered me the job.”
Clay has been working at Lowe’s for 2 months and couldn’t be happier. He said, “I’m just a disabled vet and I can’t stand to be sitting at home.”
Charlotte comes to work with him every single day. “Instead of medications I have Charlotte.”
And the management of Lowe’s makes working part time very easy. “Scheduling me in an area for at least a few hours to where Charlotte can get a good break,” added Clay.
The best part about the duo is that he made his companion her very own work vest.
Charlotte has been by his side for 10 years and he’s currently training Lola – his other pup. “I’m training Lola too–about a year or so,” said Clay.
The customers love Charlotte and Clay. Jay Fellers added, “And Clay’s been so friendly to allow Charlotte to sit down and pet and enjoy our customers that are coming in on a regular basis.”
And although it may seem fun to have your dog with you everywhere you go, Clay is thankful to be able to have a service dog get him through the tough times. “No, she alerts before I have any clue anything’s going on, and that’s what’s so good so I don’t have the issues.”
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