On September 21, 2026, the United States Mint and America’s VetDogs presented the final designs for the 2027 Working Dogs Commemorative Coin Program at a ceremony held at The White House in honor of National Service Dog Month. This three-coin program recognizes the significant contributions of working dogs in American society and aims to support America’s VetDogs in providing accredited service dogs at no cost to veterans, active-duty service members, and first responders with disabilities.

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The initiative was authorized by the Working Dog Commemorative Coin Act, which was signed into law on November 25, 2024. It includes a $5 gold coin, a $1 silver coin, and a clad half dollar. The designs celebrate therapy dogs, guide and service dogs, and military and law enforcement K-9s, respectively.

John Miller, president and CEO of America’s VetDogs, remarked that the designs reflect the dedication and deep connections formed between working dogs and their partners, highlighting their transformative impact on lives.

The specifics of the coin designs are as follows:

- **$5 Gold Coin – Therapy Dogs**: The obverse features a therapy dog with the inscription “UNCONDITIONAL SUPPORT.” The reverse depicts the bond between a child and a therapy dog with the inscription “THERAPY DOGS.”

- **$1 Silver Coin – Guide and Service Dogs**: The obverse illustrates a golden retriever guiding its handler with inscriptions “GUIDE DOG” and “LIVE WITHOUT BOUNDARIES.” The reverse shows a Labrador retriever with a veteran in a wheelchair, along with the inscription “PUPPY WITH A PURPOSE.”

- **Clad Half Dollar – Military and Law Enforcement K-9s**: The obverse shows a German shepherd in protective gear. The reverse honors a detection dog in an alert stance next to its handler.

All coins will include necessary inscriptions, such as the year 2027, denomination, and “LIBERTY,” “IN GOD WE TRUST,” “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” and “E PLURIBUS UNUM.” The coins will be produced in proof and uncirculated qualities, available only in 2027. The law permits a maximum mint of 50,000 gold coins, 500,000 silver dollars, and 750,000 clad half dollars, with surcharges of $35 for gold coins, $10 for silver dollars, and $5 for half dollars. These surcharges will fund America’s VetDogs programs after recovering production costs.

The unveiling event included veterans, program graduates, and 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 veterans Joe Worley and Gretchen Evans, both recipients of the Bronze Star and Purple Heart, accompanied by their service dogs.

The coins are projected to go on sale in January 2027. Interested individuals can sign up for updates at USMint.gov/workingdogs and find additional information at VetDogs.org/coin.

America’s VetDogs and the Guide Dog Foundation have been providing service and guide dogs for individuals with disabilities for 80 years, offering their services at no cost despite the high costs of training and placement.