House Passes PEARL Act, Allows Shelters To Donate Support Dogs

The U.S. House passage of the PEARL Act on November 19, 2025 marks a legislative step that could change how Customs and Border Protection addresses the mental health needs of its workforce in Del Rio and throughout Val Verde County. Sponsored by Rep. Tony Gonzales who represents Texas congressional district 23 the bipartisan measure would permit CBP to obtain dogs from local animal shelters and train them as support animals to assist agents and officers coping with stress and trauma.

Gonzales named the bill the PEARL Act in honor of a recently retired support canine and described the legislation as providing an additional tool to improve mental health outcomes for Border Patrol agents and CBP officers. The office of Rep. Gonzales issued a press release that was republished by the 830 Times and included a link to Gonzales s floor speech video. Homeland Security Committee leadership also included supporting comments urging the Senate to act so the measure can reach the president for signature.

For Val Verde County the proposal has immediate local relevance. Del Rio hosts substantial CBP operations and Border Patrol units that regularly confront high stress situations. Allowing CBP to partner with area shelters could expand support options for personnel while creating potential outlets for dogs in local shelters. That intersection raises policy questions for county officials and service providers about funding training and oversight standards, ensuring proper animal welfare and public safety safeguards, and measuring whether support animals produce meaningful improvements in mental health and job performance.

Institutionally the bill shifts how an immigration and border security agency might resource behavioral health supports, moving beyond counseling and peer programs toward an embedded support animal option. If the Senate advances the measure stakeholders will need clear guidance on procurement, training partnerships with accredited trainers and shelters, accountability for outcomes, and whether Congress will appropriate funds to implement the program at CBP facilities including those serving Val Verde County.

As the PEARL Act moves to the Senate local leaders and constituents should watch for details on implementation and oversight that will determine how effectively the program translates into tangible support for frontline personnel in Del Rio and the surrounding communities.