Dog advocates push US Mint for coin series honoring service dogs

Service dogs, police dogs, and military war dogs will receive a series of US Mint commemorative coins in 2023 if dog advocates are successful.

Members of the U.S. House and Senate, former President George HW Bush’s service dog Sully HW Bush, Washington Capitals mascot Biscuit, and U.S. Army veterans with their service dogs will attend at a press conference on March 8 to unveil HR 5232, the Working Dog Commemorative Coin Act.

A portion of the proceeds from the commemorative coin series would be donated to America’s VetDogs, a New York-based nonprofit that provides free service dogs to veterans and first responders with disabilities. The group said it cost around $50,000 to raise, train and place each puppy.

“Not only will this bipartisan bill and commemorative coin represent the life-changing service and service military working dogs provide, but it will also help American VetDogs continue our impactful mission to provide these highly trained service dogs to veterans and first responders with disabilities, at no cost to the individual,” John Miller, president and CEO of America’s VetDogs, said Tuesday.

Rep. Patrick McHenry, Republican of North Carolina, and Rep. Jake Auchincloss, Democrat of Massachusetts, are co-sponsoring the bill in the House, where it must pass before moving on to the Senate and President Biden’s office.