March 13^th marks National K-9 Veterans Day, shedding light on the often overlooked contributions of law enforcement’s four-legged K-9 officers. The day also underscores the challenges retired K-9s face once their active duty ends, according to an article by PHL 17 News.

Former U.S. Secret Service Special Operations K-9 Officer Marshall Mirarchi, owner of Hurricane, a Belgian Malinois that gained fame for thwarting an intruder at the White House in 2014, emphasizes the significance of supporting retired K-9s. He explains retirement costs for K-9s range from $8,000 to $14,000, with most dogs living for three to five years after retirement.

Mirarchi formed Hurricane's Heroes to help defray these expenses. The goal of the non-profit organization, formed after Hurricane retired, is to support retired K-9 handlers by covering their dogs' medical expenses in retirement. The organization relies on donations to extend the lives of retired K-9 heroes and make sure they receive the veterinary care they deserve, PHL 17 News reported.

Donations, fundraising, and social media promotion are all ways to support Hurricane's mission, the article concluded.