Joyce Introduces Legislation to Provide Support Dogs to CBP Personnel

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Dave Joyce (OH-14) and Congressman Lou Correa (CA-46) introduced the Providing Emotional Assistance with Relief and Love (PEARL) Act. This bill would require U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to establish a pilot program to adopt dogs from local animal shelters to be trained as support dogs 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,” said Congressman Joyce. “The PEARL Act recognizes that supporting the mental health of CBP personnel is an essential part of supporting the mission. 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.”

“Our nation’s frontline workers put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities, we owe it to them to invest in proven mental health programs so they have the support they need,” said Congressman Lou Correa. “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.”

Background:

Border patrol agents operate in high-stress environments and have experienced worsening mental health outcomes and an alarming rise in suicide rates. 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.

In 2023, CBP launched the Support Canine Program to improve staff morale, assist in grief, aid in trauma recovery from critical incidents, and strengthen community outreach. The PEARL Act would enhance CBP’s Support Canine Program by establishing a 3-year pilot program to adopt dogs from local shelters and train them as support dogs. This bill was named after Pearl, the U.S. Border Patrol’s first therapy canine in the Support Canine Program.

Read the bill text here.

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