How dogs helped tackle Border Patrol suicide crisis

A specialized K-9 program designed to provide emotional support to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents is part of ongoing efforts to promote mental health initiatives.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has been grappling with a mental health crisis among its frontline staff, leading to a rise in suicides among agents.

According to The Washington Examiner, suicides among border agents and customs officers soared to 15 in 2022 before falling to 8 in 2023 and 7 the following year as of October. Furthermore, CBP saw an average of nine to 10 employees die by suicide per year between 2007 and 2022, according to The Latin Times.

In response, a unique solution has emerged: therapy dogs. Through a specialized K-9 program, dogs trained to provide emotional support have become essential in helping agents cope with the job.

CBP hired a “suicidologist” in 2021, becoming the first civilian government agency to create such a role. Dr. Kent Corso, a clinical psychologist, assessed the organization’s culture and subsequently made recommendations and implemented changes.

Pete Jaquez, the CBP official in charge of employee wellness and resilience, told The Washington Examiner that instead of being reactive in their response to mental health, over the past two years, the agency has moved to be more proactive.

The focus is now on addressing issues early before they escalate into crises or result in an employee’s death.

“We’re removing the stigma of asking for help as a negative. We’re removing the stigma of saying that having a mental health issue is a career-ending issue because this is what we believe—mental health injuries are like physical health injuries,” Jaquez said.

“You have to get treated, and you have to get rehabilitation to get better.”

The initiative is one part of CBP’s wider mental health support strategy to help agents deal with stress and anxiety.

The dogs offer nonjudgmental companionship, aiding agents in processing traumatic experiences, providing comfort during difficult times, and improving mental resilience.

As one of the nation’s largest law enforcement agencies, CBP’s multi-pronged approach—combining emotional support dogs with counseling services—means these canine companions have become key players in the agency’s efforts to reduce suicides.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, text “988” to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 or go to 988lifeline.org.

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