U.S. Mint and America’s VetDogs Launch 2027 Working Dog Commemorative Coins

On September 21, 2026, the United States Mint and America’s VetDogs unveiled the final designs for the 2027 Working Dogs Commemorative Coin Program. This event took place at The White House in the Indian Treaty Room of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, celebrating National Service Dog Month. The three-coin program aims to honor the critical contributions of working dogs in American society, while also supporting America’s VetDogs in providing accredited, custom-trained service dogs to veterans, active-duty service members, and first responders with disabilities at no charge.

The Working Dog Commemorative Coin Act, signed into law on November 25, 2024, authorizes the release of a $5 gold coin, a $1 silver coin, and a clad half dollar. Each coin represents different categories of working dogs: therapy dogs are featured on the gold coin, guide and service dogs on the silver coin, and military and law enforcement K-9s on the clad half dollar.

John Miller, president and CEO of America’s VetDogs, described the designs as a tribute to the skill and devotion of working dogs, emphasizing their life-changing impact on individuals and society. He expressed gratitude towards the U.S. Mint, the Administration, and bipartisan Congressional leaders who supported the legislation contributing to this initiative.

The designs for the coins include:

- **$5 Gold Coin – Therapy Dogs**: The front displays the profile of a therapy dog with the inscription “UNCONDITIONAL SUPPORT,” while the reverse showcases the bond between a child and a therapy dog, inscribed with “THERAPY DOGS.”

- **$1 Silver Coin – Guide and Service Dogs**: The front depicts a guide dog alerting its handler in a crosswalk, captioned with “GUIDE DOG” and “LIVE WITHOUT BOUNDARIES.” The reverse features a Labrador retriever connecting with a veteran in a wheelchair, inscribed with “PUPPY WITH A PURPOSE.”

- **Clad Half Dollar – Military and Law Enforcement K-9s**: The front shows a German shepherd in protective gear, and the reverse features a detection dog alerting while examining a duffel bag, honoring the roles of military and law enforcement dogs.

All coins will include required inscriptions and will be minted in both proof and uncirculated qualities, available only during 2027. The program has set mintages at 50,000 for the gold coin, 500,000 for the silver dollar, and 750,000 for the clad half dollar. Proceeds from sales, including surcharges of $35, $10, and $5 respectively, will support America’s VetDogs once the U.S. Mint covers its costs.

The unveiling event included veterans, public officials such as Douglas A. Collins, Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and Kristie McNally, Deputy Director of the U.S. Mint. Notable speakers included retired U.S. Navy Corpsman Joe Worley and retired U.S. Army Command Sergeant Major Gretchen Evans, both honored veterans with their service dogs.

The coins are expected to become available for sale in January 2027. Interested parties can sign up for updates via USMint.gov/workingdogs and learn more at VetDogs.org/coin.

America’s VetDogs and the Guide Dog Foundation have been providing trained assistance dogs for individuals with disabilities for over 80 years. Their services, which cost upwards of $50,000 per dog, are provided free of charge, aiming to empower individuals to "Live Without Boundaries." The organizations have placed more than 3,300 assistance dogs and engage over 1,400 volunteers annually, receiving top ratings from charity evaluators.