Bipartisan legislation first crafted by Congressman Patrick McHenry, R, NC-10, and Congressman Jim McGovern, D-MA, that supports veterans and first responders with disabilities through specially trained service dogs was recently signed into law by President Biden.

McHenry introduced the Working Dog Commemorative Coin Act in February 2023. It passed in the House in May and was sent to the Senate.

US Sens. Ted Budd, R-NC, Thom Tillis, R-NC, Mark Kelly, D-AZ, and Tammy Duckworth, D-IL, celebrated the passage of the Senate’s version on Nov. 20 before being signed by Biden. 

The Working Dog Commemorative Coin Act directs the Department of the Treasury to mint and issue 50,000 $5 gold coins, 500,000 $1 silver coins, and 750,000 half-dollar clad coins in commemoration of the service that working dogs provide to society, including in detection, military service, therapy, and assistance.

The designs of the coins will also be minted with representations of these dogs.

Treasury will issue the coins for one year starting on Jan. 1.

All coin sales include a surcharge, which will be paid to America’s VetDogs for general expenses associated with fulfilling its mission and provide more accredited, specially trained service dogs at no cost to our nation’s heroes.

“Working dogs help our nation’s active-duty service members, veterans, and first responders recover from injury, enhance their independence, and improve their lives,” said Budd in a press release. “I commend the Senate and House for passing our bipartisan bill. This commemorative coin will honor the service of working dogs and provide funding to raise more service dogs for America’s heroes. I’m proud to lead this effort to give back to those who serve our country.”

“Working dogs are vital to the many Americans who rely on them, including our nation’s veterans,” Tillis added. “I am proud the Senate passed this legislation to honor our amazing working dogs and support America’s VetDogs.”

The bill’s original sponsor, McHenry concurred.

“Working dogs are deeply embedded in our daily lives here on Capitol Hill and in those of countless veterans, active-duty military personnel, and law enforcement officers across the nation,” he said. “I thank the America’s VetDogs team for their work to get this bill passed. Without the leadership of Senator Budd and the bipartisan collaboration from our colleagues across the aisle, this would not have been possible.”

McHenry said The Working Dog Commemorative Coin Act is more than just a coin bill, it’s about improving the quality of life of our wounded veterans and first responders and honoring the service dogs who make that possible and is something everyone can get behind.

“This milestone highlights the strength of unity and our collective dedication to honoring the brave men and women who serve our country and communities,” said John Miller, president & CEO of America’s VetDogs. “The commemorative coin series will serve as a lasting tribute to the extraordinary contributions of working dogs, raising awareness of their impact on society while helping us expand our life-changing services to those who have served and continue to serve our nation.”