"Chloe" a rescue from the Animal Rescue League of El Paso now serves as a Critical Incident Response K9 for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (U.S. Customs and Border Protection)
A dog who was rescued from the streets of Deming, New Mexico and saved from euthanasia is now living a fulfilling life as a U.S. Border Patrol Critical Incident Response K9.
The backstory:
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) says Chloe was taken in by the Deming County Humane Society in New Mexico on Jan. 29, 2026, and was placed on the euthanasia list less than two weeks later. On Feb. 10, 2026, CBP says the Animal Rescue League of El Paso pulled Chloe from the shelter and brought her to its facility.
CBP says Animal Rescue League of El Paso founder Loretta Hyde quickly recognized Chloe’s abilities and potential and Chloe was selected to enter the Customs and Border Protection canine program at the Border Patrol Canine Academy in El Paso, Texas.
(L-R) Border Patrol Agent Miguel Carrillo, Lety Medrano, and Loretta Hyde of the Animal Rescue League of El Paso at Chloe’s swearing in ceremony, Border Patrol Canine Academy, in El Paso, TX. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection)
Chloe successfully graduated from the five-week Border Patrol Critical Incident Response Canine Handler Course, which includes basic obedience, critical incident response training and deployment preparation with an assigned canine and handler.
After graduation, Chloe was assigned to Border Patrol Agent Miguel Carrillo at the Baton Rouge, La. station.
What they're saying:
"Chloe’s journey is a powerful reminder that with patience, purpose and a second chance, extraordinary things are possible. She is serving those who serve our nation, and her work is already making a meaningful difference," said Carrillo in a release.
Dig deeper:
CBP says since her first day on the job, she and Carrillo have deployed across the Gulf Coast region in support of CPB employees, their families and partner public safety agencies as part of the agency’s Critical Incident Response Canine Program.
The U.S. Border Patrol established the program, previously known as the Support Canine Program, after the May 24, 2022, mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, where 21 people were killed. CBP says then-U.S. Border Patrol Chief Raul Ortiz recognized the need for additional support for employees exposed to trauma and insisted on the program’s creation.
Chloe is also making a difference beyond the agency and following the death of Deputy U.S. Marshal Drew Hanson, who was shot and killed in the line-of-duty July 13, 2026, while serving an arrest warrant for a fugitive in Alexandria, Louisiana. CBP says Chloe and agent Carrillo attended services for Marshal Hanson, providing comfort to his wife, children, parents, colleagues and other loved ones.
Chloe visits area hospitals, providing comfort to patients recovering from illnesses. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection)
CPB says Chloe has also visited area hospitals, providing comfort to patients recovering from severe illness and to those receiving hospice care.
The Source: This article was written with information provided by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection. This story was reported from Orlando.