U.S. House of Representatives Passes The Working Dog Commemorative Coin Act With Bipartisan Support
May 22 2024 - 9:00AM
America's VetDogs, a national nonprofit provider of service
dogs to veterans, active-duty service members, and first responders
with disabilities, today announced that the U.S. House of
Representatives voted this afternoon to pass
H.R. 807: The
Working Dog Commemorative Coin Act. The bill was introduced to
the 118th Congress by
Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-NC), chairman
of the House Financial Services Committee, and
Rep. Jim McGovern
(D-MA).
The bipartisan legislation authorizes the Department of Treasury
to mint a three-coin commemorative series to honor the service
working dogs provide to society. All surcharges from the sale of
the coins will go to America’s VetDogs to ensure the organization
continues to advance its mission to provide life-changing service
dogs to veterans, active-duty service members, and first
responders, free of charge.
“Working dogs are so embedded in our daily lives here on Capitol
Hill, we often pass them by without noticing,” said Chairman
McHenry. “The Working Dog Commemorative Coin Act will help get
these incredible animals the recognition and appreciation they
deserve. This legislation not only honors the working dogs who
protect Americans at home and abroad, but also the extraordinary
people that benefit from their service. I would like to thank the
America’s VetDogs team for their relentless work to get this bill
to the floor today. This is more than just a coin bill, it’s a bill
about improving the quality of life for our wounded veterans and
first responders—something we all can get behind. I’m proud this
legislation passed the House with bipartisan support.”
“We are grateful for the bipartisan support of The Working Dog
Commemorative Coin by members of the House and want to thank
Chairman McHenry, Rep. McGovern,
and our Long Island delegation of Rep. D’Esposito, Rep.
Garbarino, Rep. LaLota, and Rep. Suozzi for their
leadership and commitment,” said John Miller, president and
CEO, America’s VetDogs. “Not only will this bipartisan
bill and the commemorative coins represent the life-changing work
of service and military working dogs, but it will also support
America’s VetDogs in continuing our impactful mission of providing
these highly trained service dogs to veterans and first responders
with disabilities, at no charge to the individuals.”
America’s VetDogs provides a range of service dogs, including
those for individuals with physical disabilities and mobility
issues, PTSD service dogs to mitigate post-traumatic stress
disorder, guide dogs for those who are blind or have low vision,
hearing dogs for those with hearing loss, seizure response dogs,
and facility dogs for animal-assisted therapy at military and VA
hospitals. Since 2003, the organization has placed over 1,000
assistance dogs, supporting individuals nationwide and is able to
provide service dogs to approved veterans and first responders in
12 months or less. In March, America’s VetDogs received the
prestigious 2024 Community Service Citizens Award
from the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. To learn
more, visit VetDogs.org.
About America’s VetDogsFor more than 20 years, America’s
VetDogs (www.VetDogs.org) has trained and placed guide and service
dogs to provide independence, enhanced mobility, and companionship
to veterans with disabilities from all eras. In 2015, America’s
VetDogs opened its programs to first responders, including fire,
police, and emergency medical personnel. America’s VetDogs is a
501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization founded by the Guide Dog
Foundation and serves individuals from across the United States.
America’s VetDogs relies on contributions from generous
individuals, corporations, service clubs, and foundations to fund
its mission to help those who have served our country live with
dignity and independence. It costs more than $50,000 to breed,
raise, train, and place one assistance dog, but America’s VetDogs
provides its services completely free of charge to the individual.
America’s VetDogs has been accredited by both the International
Guide Dog Federation and Assistance Dogs International. Apply,
Volunteer, or Donate at https://www.VetDogs.org.
- U.S. House of Representatives Passes The Working Dog
Commemorative Coin Act With Bipartisan Support
- U.S. House of Representatives Passes The Working Dog
Commemorative Coin Act With Bipartisan Support
Allison Storck
America's VetDogs
6313342615
allison@vetdogs.org
Jamie Shrewsbury
America's VetDogs
304-839-2551
jamie.shrewsbury@vetdogs.org