On September 21, 2026, the United States Mint introduced a new series of commemorative coins honoring working dogs that aid military personnel, law enforcement, and individuals with disabilities. This announcement occurred during a ceremony at the White House, attended by representatives from the Mint, America’s VetDogs, and the Guide Dog Foundation.

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The coin series includes three denominations: a $5 gold coin, a $1 silver coin, and a half-dollar clad coin. Each coin design reflects the various roles that working dogs fulfill, such as therapy, military service, and assistance.

Authorized by the Working Dog Commemorative Coin Act, signed into law on November 25, 2024, this program allocates surcharges from the coin sales to support America’s VetDogs, which provides guide and service dogs to veterans, active-duty service members, and first responders with physical and emotional disabilities.

The designs of the coins showcase different types of working dogs. The $5 gold coin features a therapy dog on its obverse, with the reverse illustrating a child interacting with the dog, accompanied by the inscriptions "UNCONDITIONAL SUPPORT" and "THERAPY DOGS." The $1 silver coin presents a golden retriever guide dog assisting a person with visual impairment, while the reverse depicts a Labrador retriever with a veteran in a wheelchair. The half-dollar clad coin honors military and police K-9s, showing a German shepherd in protective gear on its obverse, with a German shorthaired pointer inspecting a duffel bag with its handler on the reverse.

The exact release date for these coins in 2027 has not yet been announced; details will be included in the Mint's Product Schedule. Mint Director Paul Hollis emphasized the significance of the program, stating, "Commemorative coins tell America's story, and the story of our nation's working dogs is one of extraordinary service and sacrifice." John Miller, president and CEO of the Guide Dog Foundation and America’s VetDogs, noted that the coins would bring attention to the bond between working dogs and their human counterparts.

America’s VetDogs estimates that it costs over $50,000 to breed, raise, train, and place one assistance dog, a service offered at no charge to the veterans and first responders who receive them.

Reporter Anthony Thompson can be reached at [email protected] or on X @athompsonUSAT.