WHAT IS THE WORKING DOG COMMEMORATIVE COIN ACT?
This bill would instruct the U.S. Mint to develop a commemorative coin series honoring the critical role working dogs play in our society while providing financial support to help raise and train service dogs for veterans.

All surcharges from the bill will go to America’s VetDogs to ensure that this organization can continue to provide these lifesaving animals to veterans and first responders with disabilities at no cost to the individual. This bill was introduced to the House of Representatives in 2022 by Congressman Patrick McHenry (R-NC), Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee.
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PASSES
WORKING DOG COMMEMORATIVE COIN 

On Tuesday, May 21, the U.S. House passed the bipartisan Working Dog Commemorative Coin Act, allowing for the minting of service dog coins. Now the Act will move to the U.S. Senate for support.


SPONSORS OF THE ACT:
H.R. 807: Congressman Patrick McHenry of North Carolina
  

S. 711: Senator Ted Budd of North Carolina

                                                                                       

HOW CAN YOU HELP?
with a goal to have the coin ready to be sold by January 2027, here's how you can help now that the legislation has passed in the House of Representatives:

Here's How You Can Take Immediate Action
1. Learn and Share
Familiarize yourself with the legislation and share this information with friends, family, and colleagues asking them to contact their senators and representatives. 
  
2. Find Your Senators
Call or email your U.S. senators as soon as possible asking them to support S. 711: The Working Dog Commemorative Coin Act.

Find your senators: https://www.senate.gov/senators/senators-contact.htm.

You can see if your Senators have already signed on as a co-sponsor at https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/711/cosponsors?pageSort=alphaByState.
- If not call, email, or write your Senators and encourage them to sign in support of S. 711: The Working Dog Commemorative Coin Act.
- If yes call, email or write your Congressional members and thank them for supporting S. 711: The Working Dog Commemorative Coin Act.

3. Make the Call – Key Messages
Start by providing your full name, address, phone number, and email address at which you can be contacted. This information is required so the Senate or House office can confirm you are one of their constituents. Below are some key messages you can deliver:
  
I am writing to urge you to support S. 711: The Working Dog Commemorative Coin Act, S. The House version of the bill, H.R. 807, was unanimously passed by the House with 299 co-sponsors in May.
This bipartisan bill will celebrate the life-saving impact of service dogs for our nation’s heroes, and help provide vital funding to America's VetDogs, a respected national nonprofit that provides these extraordinary dogs free of charge to veterans, active-duty military, and first responders with physical and/or emotional disabilities, such as PTSD. 
Feel free to share a brief sentence or two about your connection to service dogs and America’s VetDogs. If you are a veteran or service member, please share the military branch in which you served if you are comfortable doing so.
Thank you for supporting the incredible working service dogs and dedicated people that have dedicated their lives to serving those who have given so much to our nation. 
  
 OTHER WAYS TO HELP:
- Sign the petition to encourage members of Congress to support S. 711: The Working Dog Commemorative Coin ActClick here
- Follow @AmericasVetDogs on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram to stay up-to-date on the progression of the bill.

VETERANS & MILITARY-ALIGNED SUPPORTERS

The following veterans and military-aligned organizations and individuals have offered their support for passage of The Working Dog Commemorative Coin Act:
George & Barbara Bush Foundation
Women's Veterans Alliance
Women's Military Memorial
US Veterans Hall of Fame
Cost of Freedom Foundation
Military Times (Sightline Media)
Seattle Police Department
BAE Systems
Jim McGrath, Begala | McGrath
Lakeshore Foundation
National Service Animals Memorial
No Barriers
Long Island Association
Suffolk County (NY) Veterans Services Agency
Team Unbroken
Unbroken Spirit, Col. Peter Champagne, US Army (Ret.)
University of Denver's Institute for Human-Animal Connection
VisionServe Alliance

Updated April 2, 2024