Washington D.C. & Smithtown, N.Y., Sept. 21, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Photos from the event can be found here.
The United States Mint and America’s VetDogs today unveiled the final designs for the 2027 Working Dogs Commemorative Coin Program during a celebration of National Service Dog Month at The White House in the Indian Treaty Room of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. The three-coin program honors the extraordinary contributions of working dogs across American society while helping America’s VetDogs provide more accredited, custom-trained service dogs to veterans, active-duty service members and first responders with disabilities at no cost to them.
Authorized by the bipartisan Working Dog Commemorative Coin Act, signed into law on November 25, 2024, the program includes a $5 gold coin, a $1 silver coin and a clad half dollar. Together, the designs recognize therapy dogs (gold); guide and service dogs (silver); and military and law enforcement K-9s (clad).
“These designs capture the skill, devotion and profound human connection that define working dog partnerships and their life-changing impact on individuals and American society,” said John Miller, president and CEO of America’s VetDogs. “They honor working dogs in all the roles they perform, and they will introduce more Americans to what an accredited, expertly trained service dog can make possible for a veteran, active-duty service member or first responder with a disability. We are deeply grateful to the U.S. Mint, the Administration, bipartisan leaders in Congress who championed this legislation, and every America’s VetDogs graduate, volunteer and supporter who helped turn this idea into a historic program.”
The Final Coin Designs
- $5 Gold Coin -- Therapy Dogs: The obverse features the profile of a therapy dog facing left, conveying the love and dedication of a loyal therapy dog, with the inscription “UNCONDITIONAL SUPPORT.” The reverse depicts the loving bond between a child and a therapy dog and includes the inscription “THERAPY DOGS.”
- $1 Silver Coin -- Guide and Service Dogs: The obverse shows a golden retriever guide dog pausing in a crosswalk to alert its handler, who is blind or has low vision, to a raised curb. Its inscriptions include “GUIDE DOG” and “LIVE WITHOUT BOUNDARIES.” The reverse portrays a Labrador retriever sharing a moment of connection with a veteran who uses a wheelchair, reflecting trust, support and renewed independence, and includes the inscription “PUPPY WITH A PURPOSE.”
- Clad Half Dollar -- Military and Law Enforcement K-9s: The obverse depicts a German shepherd wearing protective equipment used by working K-9s. The reverse features a detection dog in an alert pointing stance as it examines a duffel bag with its handler nearby, honoring the highly trained dogs that protect military personnel, law enforcement officers and the public.
Each coin will also carry the inscriptions required by law, including the year 2027, its denomination, “LIBERTY,” “IN GOD WE TRUST,” “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and “E PLURIBUS UNUM.” The coins will be produced in proof and uncirculated qualities and may be issued only during calendar year 2027.
The law authorizes maximum mintages of 50,000 $5 gold coins, 500,000 silver dollars and 750,000 clad half dollars. Sales will include surcharges of $35 for each gold coin, $10 for each silver dollar and $5 for each half dollar. After the U.S. Mint recovers all program costs and subject to applicable federal requirements, surcharge proceeds will be paid to America’s VetDogs to advance its mission, including service-dog training and care, instructor development, client support, and client travel, lodging and meals.
The unveiling brought together America’s VetDogs program graduates, veterans, public officials, including Douglas A. Collins, Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and Kristie McNally, Deputy Director of the U.S. Mint, and supporters. Among the speakers at the event were retired U.S. Navy Corpsman Joe Worley, a Bronze Star and Purple Heart recipient, with his service dog Scotty, and retired U.S. Army Command Sergeant Major Gretchen Evans, a Bronze Star and Purple Heart recipient and the 2022 Pat Tillman Award for Service honoree, with her service dog Rusty.
The coins are expected to go on sale in January 2027. Those interested in release information may sign up for updates at USMint.gov/workingdogs and can learn more at VetDogs.org/coin.
About America’s VetDogs & Guide Dog Foundation
For 80 years, the Guide Dog Foundation (est. 1946) and America’s VetDogs (est. 2003) have transformed lives by providing accredited, custom-trained guide, service and facility dogs to individuals who are blind, have low vision or have other disabilities, including veterans, active-duty military, and first responders with physical and emotional disabilities.
It costs more than $50,000 to breed, raise, train and place one assistance dog, but the organizations provide their services completely free of charge, empowering those they serve to Live Without Boundaries®.
Together, these independent sister 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations have placed more than 3,300 guide, service and facility dogs; support active teams in all 50 states; Washington, D.C.; Puerto Rico; Canada and beyond; and engage more than 1,400 volunteers annually. Accredited by Assistance Dogs International and the International Guide Dog Federation, the organizations earn top ratings from leading charitable watchdog organizations, including Candid, Charity Navigator and the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance. Learn more and discover how to apply, volunteer or donate at GuideDog.org or VetDogs.org.
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Attachments
Jamie Vullo America's VetDogs 304-839-2551 Jamie.Vullo@guidedog.org