PEARL Act Providing Emotional Assistance with Relief and Love...
To establish in U.S. Customs and Border Protection a pilot program to adopt dogs from local animal shelters to be trained as support dogs, and for other purposes.
This bill, known as the PEARL Act, aims to create a pilot program within the U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The program would focus on adopting dogs from local animal shelters and training them to serve as support dogs. This initiative seeks to provide emotional assistance and support, especially for those who may benefit from the companionship and therapeutic effects of trained support animals.
The bill would primarily impact U.S. Customs and Border Protection, local animal shelters, and individuals who could benefit from the support of trained service dogs. By adopting and training shelter dogs, the program hopes to help more people in need while also finding homes for animals that might otherwise remain in shelters.
The bill was introduced on June 18, 2026, and was referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security. On June 24, 2026, the House Committee on Homeland Security held a consideration and mark-up session, and the bill was ordered to be reported favorably with a unanimous vote of 30-0. The bill is currently progressing in the legislative process.
