A US Secret Service dog is to be honoured with a Medal by the UK’s leading veterinary charity, PDSA, for hisoutstanding devotion to duty while protecting the President and First Family from an intruder at the White House.

Special Operations Canine, Hurricane, who worked with his handler Officer Marshall Mirarchi for four years, will receive the PDSA Order of Merit* – known as the animal equivalent of the OBE.

Hurricane was trained as part of the USSS Emergency Response Team and provided specialist protection to the White House and its grounds.

Hurricane will formally receive his Medal from PDSA in October, during a special ceremony London. He will be the first foreign animal to receive the honour, which was instituted in 2014 and has been awarded to just 30 other recipients.

Commenting on the awards, PDSA Director General, Jan McLoughlin, said: “We are very proud to announce that Hurricane will become the latest recipient of the PDSA Order of Merit.

“He had an outstanding career with the US Secret Service, and went above and beyond the call of duty when an intruder tried to gain access to the White House. Despite suffering a ferocious assault he never faltered from his duty.

“Through the PDSA Animal Awards programme we seek to raise the status of animals in society and honour the incredible contribution they make to our lives. Hurricane’s achievements warrant the highest recognition, making him a worthy recipient of the PDSA Order of Merit.”

Hurricane’s story

US Secret Service Special Operations Canine, Hurricane, is famed within his Unit for his outstanding drive, determination and courage. He may be small in stature, but his power and tenacity know no bounds.

On 22 October 2014, these attributes were tested to the limits. Canine Handler Officer Marshall Mirarchi and Hurricane were on duty at the White House with the US Secret Service Emergency Response Team (ERT). Suddenly and unexpectedly, a man vaulted the White House fence and sprinted across the lawn, towards where President Obama and his family were residing.

The man’s intentions and state of mind were not known, but it is the job of the Secret Service to prevent any threat to the President.

The first attempt by a Secret Service canine team to stop the intruder was unsuccessful but fortunately Officer Mirarchi and Hurricane were stationed nearby and ready to offer their support. Seeing the first struggle, Mirarchi gave the command and Hurricane flew into action. He made contact with the suspect, intending to push him back to the perimeter fence.

In the ensuing struggle, Hurricane was kicked, punched and swung through the air. Despite this violent, repeated assault, his jaws were locked onto the suspect’s arm and he never gave up. He continued to drive forward and finally grounded the intruder, enabling armed officers to take him into custody.

Though severely battered, Hurricane refused to be beaten and carried out his duties faultlessly.

Hurricane retired on health grounds in September 2016. Officer Mirarchi believes the ordeal on the White House lawn that night contributed to his physical issues.

Hurricane’s heroic actions that night thwarted a serious security breach. He stood between an aggressive intruder and the US President, who was at home with his family.   Hurricane’s devotion to duty and service, while enduring a horrific personal attack, make him a worthy recipient of the PDSA Order of Merit.

Award reaction

Marshall Mirarchi, Hurricane’s former USSS handler and adoptive dad, said: “Hurricane was such a legend within the Service. He loved working and his talent for the job impressed me every single day. That night, he stepped up and delivered under circumstances that no amount of training could prepare him for. I have never witnessed such violence toward a dog before but it didn’t stop him from doing his job.

“I am so proud of him and extremely thankful to PDSA for honouring his service and actions in this way. We are very excited to visit London – Hurricane will be given the full VIP treatment, just as he deserves.”  

Thomas Sullivan, Chief of the Secret Service Uniformed Division, said: “The Secret Service Uniformed Division canine program is, without a doubt, one of the best in the world, and Officer Mirarchi and Hurricane executed their mission flawlessly. The entire Secret Service is proud of Officer Mirarchi and Hurricane and all the men and women and canines that do that job every day.”  

New York Times best-selling author Maria Goodavage, who nominated Hurricane for a PDSA award, said: “I first met Hurricane and Marshall when I was researching my book, Secret Service Dogs. When I heard what happened that night and how impeccably Hurricane behaved, I was absolutely blown away. The skill and talent of these dog teams is second to none and I am completely thrilled to see Hurricane honored with the PDSA Order of Merit.”

About PDSA

PDSA is the UK’s leading veterinary charity, providing free and reduced-cost veterinary care to the pets of people in financial need. The charity strives to improve the wellbeing of all pets’ lives through providing preventive care, educating pet owners and treating pets when they become sick or injured. Today, PDSA treats around 470,000 of the UK’s most vulnerable pets a year, through its nationwide network of 48 Pet Hospitals. For more information about the charity visit www.pdsa.org.uk. 

PDSA Animal Awards Programme

PDSA’s Animal Awards Programme was instituted in 1943 by the charity’s founder, Maria Dickin, CBE. She believed that, if animals were recognised for their heroic actions and the vital roles they play in society, it would help to raise their status, ensuring they are better treated. The charity continues this legacy today with the world’s leading Animal Awards Programme.

The programme is comprised of three major awards; the PDSA Dickin Medal, instituted in 1943, which acknowledges outstanding acts of animal gallantry while serving with the Armed Forces or Civil Defence units in any theatre of war, worldwide. It is recognised worldwide as the animals’ Victoria Cross.

The PDSA Gold Medal, instituted in 2002, rewards civilian acts of animal bravery or exceptional devotion to duty. It is now widely recognised as the animals’ George Cross.

The PDSA Order of Merit, instituted in 2014, recognises animals who display outstanding devotion above and beyond normal companionship, and animal acts that symbolise their special relationship with humans. It has become recognised as the animals’ OBE.

For more information on the Medals and recipients visit www.pdsa.org.uk/Medals.