Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark were killed in a politically motivated attack on June 14, and the couple’s service dog, Gilbert, was shot and later put to sleep.

The Hortmans trained service dogs with Helping Paws, Inc., and Gilbert — described by the organization as a trained service dog who was “too friendly” — was shot multiple times and injured severely during the attack, officials said. The deaths left a visible hole in the community that came together around the family and the household’s last dog. Service dogs like Gilbert not only assist individuals with disabilities in everyday tasks, from aiding mobility to alerting to medical events, but also provide essential emotional support, contributing to improved psychological well-being.

Helping Paws, Inc. said its dogs were present in force at a candlelight vigil for the Hortmans, a public sign of support that matched an unprecedented wave of financial backing: the organization received 5,700 individual donations in just a few days following the tragedy. These contributions are vital, as organizations like Helping Paws typically rely on private donations and grants to fund their service dog training programs. This support enables them to provide dogs at low or no cost to families in need.

Alyssa Golob, Executive Director of Helping Paws, spoke about the family’s wishes and community response. “This is what our mom would want, if something good to come out of this. And we love your organization so much, and Gilbert was such a big part of all of our lives for four years. And my mom would bless this. Our mom would bless this,” she said.

Golob offered another account of how people reached out in the days after the shooting. “A woman came up and said, ‘You know, I made a donation to your organization,’ and she’s like, ‘I just needed to put my rage somewhere,'” she said, describing a pattern of grief and giving that swept through the community. People can support service dog training organizations like Helping Paws by donating money or even sponsoring a dog, as the training and placement of a single service dog can cost tens of thousands of dollars.

The couple are survived by adult children Sophie and Collin, who have been part of the public mourning tied to their parents’ work with service animals. Helping Paws characterized Gilbert as the Hortmans’ last service dog and stressed the role the animal had played in their lives. This bond underscores the invaluable role service dogs play in enhancing their owners’ independence and daily functioning.

The shooting occurred on June 14. In the days that followed, Helping Paws’ sudden influx of support allowed the group to manage immediate needs and to appear at memorial events; the organization’s presence at the candlelight vigil underscored the connection between the Hortmans’ public service and their private work with service dogs.

Gilbert’s injuries were severe enough that the dog was ultimately put to sleep, according to the organization’s account. The image of Helping Paws dogs at the vigil and the rapid succession of donations became focal points for community grief and solidarity after the killings.

The broader series of events around the June 14 attacks prompted an outpouring of statements and remembrances across Minnesota, and local reporting cataloged both the killings and the response by residents and organizations. For additional reporting on the shootings and their aftermath, see MPR News.

The Hortmans’ deaths and Gilbert’s loss left a palpable imprint on the service-dog community and on those who had supported Helping Paws’ work for years. The organization’s executive director framed the donations and public gestures as an attempt to direct grief and anger into support for the work the couple cherished.

As families and colleagues continue to remember Melissa and Mark Hortman, Helping Paws and others have moved to channel the outpouring of support into sustaining the programs the couple helped build. Those wishing to help can consider volunteering as puppy raisers or general volunteers, furthering the important mission of service dog training.

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Original reporting: view the original article.