S. 4079 would direct Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to develop and implement a three-year pilot program to adopt and train dogs from local animal shelters for the agency’s Support Canine Program. Under this program, CBP organizes visits between its officers and emotional support dogs to improve employees’ mental health.
Using information from CBP and based on the costs of similar programs, CBO estimates that implementing S. 4079 would cost $4 million over the 2026-2031 period, comprising $3 million for the salaries of the support canine handlers and $1 million for the procurement, training, and travel of the therapy dogs. Any related spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds.
On September 29, 2025, CBO transmitted a cost estimate for H.R. 3965, the PEARL Act, as ordered reported by the House Committee on Homeland Security on June 25, 2025. On July 14, 2026, CBO transmitted a cost estimate for H.R. 9327, the PEARL Act, as ordered reported by the House Committee on Homeland Security on June 24, 2026. The three pieces of legislation are similar, and CBO’s estimates of their budgetary effects are the same.
The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Sean Christensen. The estimate was reviewed by Chad Chirico, Director of Budget Analysis.
