This month, we’re bringing back a former feature in Spotlight: Where Are They Now? We’ll frequently feature a retiree and give an update about their post-GUC life.

Sammy Mills began his career with Greenville Utilities as the Billing and Collections Supervisor. He also held the titles of Credit Supervisor and Financial Systems Officer. Sammy retired in 2007 from his job as our Natural Gas Supply Officer. His responsibilities included coordinating the Annual Energy Workshop, the former Natural Gas Rate Lock-In program (also known as AdvantageBill), and purchasing natural gas on the open market at favorable rates.

“I love being retired and doing what I want to do when I want to do it,” he said. “But I do miss my friends at GUC.”

Since retiring, Sammy and his wife, Susie, have been bringing joy and comfort to hospital and institutionalized patients in a unique way. Together, they have two registered therapy dogs that they take to different hospitals to provide therapy for patients. They had three, but Yogi retired at the end of 2018. He is 10-years-old and had been a very popular therapy dog for eight years. Now their dogs Micki and Casey carry on the tradition of visiting Vidant Hospital, Lenoir Hospital, autistic students, nursing homes, and a group home. “It really is a rewarding feeling,” he said. “I don’t get paid in money, but I get paid from the happiness we bring to patients.”