<p>The White House unveiled designs on September 21, 2026, for the 2027 Working Dogs Commemorative Coin Program.</p>
<p>John Miller, President and CEO of America’s VetDogs, stated, “Commemorative coins have very clear legislative rules. There’s only two that could be approved each year. You have to get 290 co-sponsors in the House before they’ll take it for a vote. … So, you know, so when I say it took us two Congresses, you know, we didn’t get it over the finish line the first time, right? So, we had to start over in the second Congress.”</p>
<figure><img alt="US Army Command Sergeant Major Gretchen Evans listens as U.S. Mint and America's VetDogs unveil final designs for 2027 Working Dog Commemorative Coins at the White House on Sept. 21, 2026, in Washington, D.C." src="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2296421462.jpg?w=696" /><figcaption>WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 21: US Army Command Sergeant Major Gretchen Evans attends as U.S. Mint and America’s VetDogs unveil final designs for 2027 Working Dog Commemorative Coins at the White House on September 21, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images for America’s VetDogs)</figcaption></figure>
<p>Miller noted, “It costs us, you know, well over $50,000 to get each dog set but there’s no charge to the veteran and first responders. So, a program like this, you know, really helps bring awareness to the organization and more importantly to the services that are available for veterans.”</p>
<p>The Working Dog Commemorative Coin Act was signed into law on November 25, 2024, and included plans for a $5 gold coin, a $1 silver coin, and a clad half dollar. The different currencies depict various types of working dogs: gold for therapy dogs, silver for guide and service dogs, and clad for military and law enforcement K-9s.</p>
<figure><img alt="(L-R) Kevin Bittenbender and Ming Chiang attend as U.S. Mint and America's VetDogs unveil final designs for 2027 Working Dog Commemorative Coins at White House on Sept. 21, 2026, in Washington, D.C." src="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2296423386.jpg?w=696" /><figcaption>WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 21: (L-R) Kevin Bittenbender and Ming Chiang attend as U.S. Mint and America’s VetDogs unveil final designs for 2027 Working Dog Commemorative Coins at White House on September 21, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images for America’s VetDogs)</figcaption></figure>
<p>The minting of the coins is expected to begin in November, with coin sales scheduled for January 2027, according to Miller. More than 50 artists submitted work for the final six designs. Miller stated they aimed to honor as many different working dogs as possible.</p>
<p>Miller explained, “We wanted to highlight, you know, really kind of how dogs have helped in American history, right. Whether they’re military dogs, police dogs, and now certainly, service dogs are at the forefront. We wanted to have the biggest representation.”</p>
<figure><img alt="(L-R)John Miller, President & CEO, America's VetDogs, and James C. McCloughan, Specialist Fifth Class, Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient, attend as U.S. Mint and America's VetDogs unveil final designs for 2027 Working Dog Commemorative Coins at the White House on Sept. 21, 2026 in Washington, D.C." src="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2296422497.jpg?w=696" /><figcaption>WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 21: (L-R) John Miller, President & CEO, America’s VetDogs, and James C. McCloughan, Specialist Fifth Class, Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient, attend as U.S. Mint and America's VetDogs unveil final designs for 2027 Working Dog Commemorative Coins at the White House on September 21, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images for America’s VetDogs)</figcaption></figure>
<p>America’s VetDogs was founded in 2003 and provided former President George H.W. Bush with his service dog, Sully. Miller has led the organization for approximately eight years, motivated by its mission. He was present in Washington, D.C., for the coin design unveiling along with veterans who participated in the program, including Joe Worley.</p>
<p>Worley, a Navy Hospital Corpsman, shared his experience with PTSD, stating, “I thought that I could manage my PTSD. You know, I could just leave it behind, kind of ignore it because I’m doing OK. And I wasn’t. … So, when that time came, I knew I needed help and I applied for America’s VetDogs.”</p>
<p>Worley joined the military and was injured in Iraq in 2009 when an RKG3 grenade exploded, resulting in the amputation of his leg in 2011 and his discharge in 2013. He described his struggle with PTSD and the lengthy application process for a service dog, which ultimately led to him being assigned Luce, an English Labrador.</p>
<p>Worley now serves on the Board of Directors for America’s VetDogs and encourages others to seek help. He stated, “It’s that simple, I actually have a life now. Before him, like, I didn’t want to be in the world because I wanted to be somewhere safe, right? Which is, normally for me, it was like a small apartment, or like a barracks room, and it’s because then you can control your environment. … But you can’t live your life like that; that’s not a life.”</p>