Military veterans and their service dogs made a "pawtastic" push this week for legislation that would authorize the minting of a series of commemorative coins that would honor working dogs.
The bipartisan Working Dog Commemorative Coin Act will instruct the U.S. Mint to develop a commemorative coin series honoring the critical role working dogs play in society if passed by Congress and signed into law by the president.
“This is about living with dignity, respect, and independence,” said Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-NC). House Financial Services Committee Ranking Member, who introduced the legislation along with committee Vice Chairman Rep. Jake Auchincloss (D-MA).
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During the event at the House of Representatives Rayburn foyer, several veterans spoke of the important role service dogs play in their lives.
U.S. Navy veteran Joe Worley lost his left leg above the knee after being hit with an IED on Sept. 17, 2004. He spent the next 18 months in the hospital and had nearly 36 surgeries.
“I think the first moment I realized I needed help and that I was in over my head was the night I met my daughter for the first time,” he said. “In 2008 when I got my first service dog, Benjamin, I had no idea that was the missing piece of the puzzle for me. And so, that dog absolutely changed my life.”
U.S. Marine Corps Master Sgt. Mark Gwathmey said it was hard for him to do mundane, normal things prior to being paired with Captain, a service dog raised by the Washington Capitals.
“A service dog in life has opened up a lot of things, like going to hockey games, concerts, plays to the ballet, stuff like that,” he said. “Yeah, I said ballet. I want to experience life and enjoy life to where I wasn't able to enjoy life before. It's given me a sense of purpose, of living.”
A portion of the proceeds from the commemorative coin series will be donated to America’s VetDogs to continue its mission of providing service dogs to veterans and first responders with disabilities, at no cost to the individual.
“Our organization works across the country to provide service dogs free of charge, but it costs us over $50,000 for each dog that is placed,” said CEO of America’s VetDogs John Miller. “So, programs like this, that benefit our organization, just really are tremendous, and really are vital to us and you know, our success.”-
Also on hand were Sully, former President George H.W. Bush’s service dog and Washington Capitals current service dog in training, Biscuit.
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“We make a promise to the people we serve that we will provide them with a dog for life,” said Don Dea, America’s VEtDogs board chairman. “And there’s no greater commitment that these veterans, first responders, and active military made when they agreed to serve.”
The goal is to have the coin in production in 2023.
Reach Julia LeDoux at Julia@connectingvets.com.