From rescue to recovery, a rescued Schnauzer Poodle makes Border Patrol history in Texas

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(The Center Square) – After being saved from the brink of death, a dog abandoned on the streets of New Mexico became the first rescue dog to graduate from the U.S. Border Patrol Canine Academy in El Paso, Texas, as a critical incident response canine. 

Not long ago, Chloe, a black, two and half-year-old, large Schnauzer Poodle mix, was an abandoned stray dog living on the streets in Deming, New Mexico. Deming is located in the U.S. Customs and Border Protection El Paso Sector. The sector includes all of New Mexico and two West Texas counties, including El Paso. 

She was taken off the streets by the Deming County Humane Society, a high-kill facility, on Jan. 29 and placed on the list to be euthanized within two weeks. 

Rescuers from the Animal Rescue League of El Paso pulled her from the facility before she could be put down. Nothing was physically wrong with her. High-kill shelters euthanize large numbers of animals primarily due to overcrowding and limited resources. 

While at the Animal Rescue League of El Paso, its founder, Loretta Hyde, says she quickly recognized Chloe’s abilities and potential. Chloe was later selected to enter a CBP canine program and excelled.

She was enrolled in the Border Patrol Critical Incident Response (CIR) Canine Handler course, which includes basic obedience, critical incident response training and deployment preparation with the assigned canine and handler.

The program was established after the May 24, 2022, mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, killing 19 children and two teachers. The shooter was killed by an off-duty Border Patrol agent. Then Border Patrol Chief Raul Ortiz recognized the need to provide additional support to employees exposed to trauma and spearheaded the program.

The mission of the CIR canine program is to help reduce stress, anxiety and depression, lessen the effects of trauma after critical incidents, improve staff morale and assist employees and families as they process grief and loss, CBP explains.

A CIR canine is certified for approved field deployments to support agents, staff and families during critical incidents and crisis events and is also supported by chaplains and peer support members.

In her role, Chloe provides comfort and emotional support to federal agents, employees and families during critical incidents, times of grief and high-stress operations.

On May 15, Chloe became the first rescue dog to graduate from the Border Patrol Canine Academy as a CIR canine. On the same day, Academy Director Stephen Crump swore her into office.  

Not soon after, she got her first assignment: to relocate to the CBP New Orleans Sector, Baton Rouge Station. The sector covers seven states, encompassing 592 counties and parishes and more than 362,000 square miles. Baton Rouge Sector agents perform crewman control and transportation checks, patrols, traffic observation along major thoroughfares, employer sanctions and apprehend illegal foreign nationals. The station's area of responsibility covers central and northeastern Louisiana.

“Chloe’s journey is a powerful reminder that with patience, purpose and a second chance, extraordinary things are possible,” her handler, Border Patrol Agent Miguel Carrillo, said. “She is serving those who serve our nation, and her work is already making a meaningful difference.”

Since her first day on the job, she and Carrillo have deployed across the Gulf Coast region to support federal employees, their families and partner public safety agencies.

They visit area hospitals with the goal of providing comfort to patients recovering from severe illness and those receiving hospice care.

Her impact has extended beyond CBP. After the line-of-duty death of Deputy U.S. Marshal Drew Hanson, Chloe and Carrillo attended and provided comfort to his wife, children, parents, colleagues and other loved ones. Hanson was shot and killed on July 13 while serving an arrest warrant for a fugitive in Alexandria, Louisiana.

Carrillo says they are “a calm and supportive team.” Whenever he tells her to, “‘go say hi,’ she happily engages those in need with affection and warmth, helping open the door for personal communication, connection and support.”

“Chloe’s story reflects the very best of service, resilience and compassion,” CBP New Orleans Sector Chief Patrol Agent Adam Calderon said. “From being rescued in New Mexico to becoming the first rescue dog to graduate from the U.S. Border Patrol Canine Academy as a Critical Incident Response Canine, Chloe represents the power of second chances.

“From the streets of Deming to serving those who serve the nation, Chloe is proof that rescue dogs do more than survive. They inspire, heal, and change lives.”