Gilbert, a golden retriever, was originally trained to be a service dog through Helping Paws but was “fired” because he was too friendly and loved being around everyone. Melissa Hortman, Minnesota state Rep., kept him as a family pet, and he became a comforting presence, especially during difficult times like the pandemic and social unrest.

Gilbert often appeared in Zoom meetings and was well-loved by Hortman and her family. Sadly, on June 14, Gilbert was seriously injured in the same shooting that killed Rep. Hortman and her husband. He was humanely euthanized by their adult children.

Helping Paws honored Gilbert and the Hortman family by creating a fund to support pairing service dogs with veterans and first responders suffering from PTSD. Though Gilbert didn’t become a service dog, he was a true hero and beloved companion.