‘The pair quickly became local favorites’: After countless employers turn away veteran for needing his service dog, one Texas Lowe’s hires him and gives Charlotte her own red vest

Author image for Blake Seidel
Blake Seidel • Managing Editor & Brand Manager
Jul 2, 2026 6:45 AM EDT

To us, a dog is always a plus. Especially if she's a very good girl, like Charlotte. We would happily hire them both in a heartbeat!

Finding a job is stressful enough when you're just one person trying to make a good impression in an interview. You have to pick the right outfit, answer the inevitable "where do you see yourself in five years?" question, and somehow pretend that your greatest weakness is caring too much. Now imagine doing all of that while also having to explain why the animal sitting patiently beside you is not a pet you simply did not want to leave at home.

For veteran Clay Luthy, that animal was Charlotte, his service dog. After leaving the military, Clay struggled to find work because many employers saw Charlotte as a problem. But in reality, she was an essential part of his daily support system.

It is easy for people to say they support veterans. People put it on bumper stickers, we say it at sporting events (yes, we do go to sporting events despite popular belief), and we thank people for their service whenever the opportunity comes up. But support is not supposed to stop when it becomes slightly inconvenient. Real support looks like Clay's story from Reddit's r/BeAmazed subreddit.

After countless rejections, a Lowe's in Texas hired Clay, welcomed Charlotte, and even gave her a tiny red Lowe's vest of her own. But beyond the cute visuals of Charlotte clocking in beside her human, this story matters. It matters because it is proof that one decision can change someone's whole fluffing life. Clay was not asking for special treatment. He was asking for the chance to work, contribute, and move through the world with the support he needs.

Lowe's gave him that chance. And Charlotte got promoted to local icon in the process.

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  • 01
    LOWE'S Custom Sa Charlotte Laur's 60
    via MambaMentality24x2
  • 02
    Air Force veteran Clay Luthy struggled to find work after leaving the military because he relied on his service dog, Charlotte, to help him manage the effects of his service connected disabilities.
    via MambaMentality24x2
  • 03
    ALLYMORE 3 OCP Cooking & Beripro Lowe's Cantomer Service 53 Visit us PORTFOLIO Floor Lamp 0670
    via MambaMentality24x2

  • I am a man of simple tastes, and the simplest way to make me happy is to give me a dog to pet. So, when I tell you that I would drive far out of my way to shop at this Lowe's and pet Charlotte, I really mean it.

  • 04
    Many employers saw Charlotte as a complication, but Lowe's in Abilene, Texas saw it differently. They hired Clay and welcomed Charlotte too, even giving her her own red Lowe's vest.
    via MambaMentality24x2
  • 05
    HADER OV MAX LE'S Cal Serv tusiwenom
    via MambaMentality24x2
  • 06
    The pair quickly became local favorites, showing how one act of understanding can make a life changing difference.
    via MambaMentality24x2
  • 07
    48,71.FR 168 SK 98.287 245 ARI HRS IR
    via MambaMentality24x2
  • 08
    spiritofjosh Thought this was Tom Hanks at first
    via spiritofjosh
  • 09
    sla342 As a fellow veteran that made it through a lot of life thanks to my dog, seeing the age on that sweet pup already breaks my heart. That loss is unlike anything else.
    via sla342
  • 10
    Distinct-Forever642 This is better than my ex co- worker that would leave her "service" dog in a hot car when working. She said "since the windows are cracked and he has water, hes fine". Dumb b . Im so glad she doesnt work with us anymore.
    via Distinct-Forever642
  • 11
    No_Dish6324 The dog's uncle is the hiring manager at that Lowe's... nepotism at its finest
    via No_Dish6324
  • 12
    bunnyfloofington This is nice but it's illegal for a company to refuse to hire someone because of their disability needs like this. Once you get offered the job, you take it and then go on to discuss disability accommodations with HR or management. They can't
    via bunnyfloofington
  • 13
    fire you at that point for requiring accommodations so they have to either allow the dog or accommodate you by their own accord (which they usually can't or won't do). Like let's not give Lowe's too much credit here.
    via bunnyfloofington
  • 14
    Seadub8 I really hope the dogs pay os less than the Veteran's. I mean, he's lying down on the job.
    via Seadub8

  • Yeah, he may be lying down, but do you have any idea how much energy it takes to be that cute? A lot. Let her rest for a little bit, she has a lot on her plate.

  • 15
    Combat Pothead As a veteran, Lowe's will always get my business over Home Depot or any other competitor.
    via Combat_Pothead
  • 16
    Dia_dhaoibh Sorry but the service dog is a feature, not a bug. Beautiful outcome.
    via Dia_dhaoibh
  • 17
    DoubleFlatt I worked at Lowe's for a summer and they are extremely pet friendly. The one I worked at has a wall of pictures of all the pets people bring by the paint department, its super cute. Someone brought a pig once.
    via DoubleFlatt
  • 18
    ariiarain_53 Aww, thats so good to hear! Such a wholesome story. Hope theyre both loving their jobs!
    via ariiarain_53
  • 19
    One-Salt7496 Best associate ever!
    via One-Salt7496
  • 20
    SortofChef This why I'm Lowe's guy.
    via SortofChef
  • 21
    CelestialGypsy Kreet I've noticed stores like Lowe's & Home Depot have no problems with Vets & others that need thier Service Dogs to work. Stores that don't hire stating that customers would be scared of the dogs is bulls, i've seen more people asking if it's okay to pet or get near the workers with thier partners than be scared. Those places are just close minded a hats IMPO
    via CelestialGypsy

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veterans hardware store employer service dogs
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