A bipartisan bill sponsored by U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce (R-OH) would establish a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) pilot program to adopt dogs from local animal shelters to be trained as support dogs for CBP personnel, who are experiencing higher rates of suicide due to job pressures.
The Providing Emotional Assistance with Relief and Love (PEARL) Act, H.R. 9327, which has six original cosponsors, including U.S. Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Lou Correa (D-CA), would require creation of the pilot program for CBP’s Support Canine Program.
“Behind every border security mission are men and women who routinely face difficult and often traumatic situations in the line of duty. While the physical demands of the job are well known, the emotional toll is often overlooked,” Rep. Joyce said on June 22. “The PEARL Act recognizes that supporting the mental health of CBP personnel is an essential part of supporting the mission.”
Border patrol agents operate in high-stress environments and have experienced worsening mental health outcomes and an alarming rise in suicide rates, according to Rep. Joyce’s office, which reports that since 2007, CBP has lost more than 150 employees to suicide, with the agency’s suicide rate in 2022 nearly doubling from 2020 levels and reaching roughly three times the 2014 rate.
CBP launched the Support Canine Program in 2023 to improve staff morale, assist in grief, aid in trauma recovery from critical incidents, and strengthen community outreach, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Joyce’s office.
“Expanding the Support Canine Program will provide an additional source of support for personnel, while giving dogs from local shelters a second chance to serve,” said the congressman.
If enacted, H.R. 9327 would improve the program by establishing the three-year pilot program to adopt dogs from local shelters and train them as support dogs. The bill was named after Pearl, the U.S. Border Patrol’s first therapy canine in the Support Canine Program.
“This bill will allow more frontline officers and agents to receive support canines to help them cope with the many stresses they face while protecting our homeland,” said Rep. Correa.