Gilbert the Golden Retriever: A Heartwarming Life Cut Tragically Short
Gilbert, a golden retriever with an endlessly wagging tail and a spirit full of warmth, was never meant for the spotlight. But he lit up every room he entered — especially the home of Minnesota State Representative Melissa Hortman.
In 2021, Gilbert joined the Hortman family through a service dog training program run by the nonprofit Helping Paws. He was meant to become a focused support animal for someone in need. But Gilbert had different plans — ones that involved cuddles, constant affection, and winning hearts wherever he went.
“A lot of dogs just love being with people — all people,” said Helping Paws Executive Director Alyssa Golob. “That’s a beautiful trait, but it’s not ideal for service dogs, who need to focus on a single person.”
Because of his overly friendly nature, Gilbert was eventually deemed unfit for service work — a bittersweet moment that turned out to be a blessing for the Hortman family. They got to keep him as their beloved family dog.
Melissa Hortman had formed a strong bond with Gilbert during an emotionally difficult period following the January 6th Capitol riots, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the murder of George Floyd.
“She didn’t just want a dog for comfort — she signed up to foster a service dog she might have to give away,” said Rep. Zack Stephenson. “That was classic Melissa — selfless and thoughtful.”
Though he didn’t graduate from service dog training, Gilbert became a familiar face at the Minnesota Capitol. He often appeared in virtual meetings, sometimes barking or hopping into Hortman’s lap, becoming an unofficial four-legged member of the legislature.
In a 2022 Facebook post, Hortman shared a photo of Gilbert with a caption that read, “This was that one day when Gilbert was really well-behaved in class.”
The Hortman family first got involved with Helping Paws through their daughter Sophie’s senior project. When Sophie left for college, Melissa’s husband, Mark, completed the training for their first dog, Minnie, a black Labrador who was eventually placed with veteran Aric Elsner.
Elsner credits the dog — and the Hortman family — with changing his life: “She helped me reconnect with my kids and the community. I’ll always be thankful for Sophie, Mark, and Melissa.”
Gilbert’s story took a tragic turn on June 14, when he was critically injured in a violent attack at the Hortman home — the same attack that claimed the lives of Melissa and Mark Hortman. Minnesota State Senator John Hoffman and his wife were also injured in the incident. The suspect, Vance Boelter, was later arrested following a manhunt.
Gilbert, too, did not survive.
“With heavy hearts, we share the devastating news of Gilbert’s passing,” Helping Paws announced. “He did not survive the attack at the Hortman home.”
Golob added, “He was with his people until the very end.”
According to Rep. Erin Koegel, Gilbert was humanely euthanized by the couple’s adult children. During a legislative safety briefing, members were informed of his death.
“When I heard Gilbert was gone too, I thought — Melissa needed him with her,” Koegel said, fighting tears.
Gilbert had become such a cherished figure among Hortman’s colleagues that when he was temporarily removed for retraining, they joked about writing legislation to bring him back. Some even proposed having the sergeant-at-arms retrieve him like an absent lawmaker.
“When he failed out of training, I think that was one of Melissa’s happiest moments,” said Rep. Jamie Long. “She loved Mark, but Gilbert — he was the true love of her life.”
Training a dog for someone else takes a special kind of heart. “A lot of our volunteers get through it by repeating, ‘I want the dog, but they need the dog,’” Golob said.
Now, in honor of the Hortmans and their golden-hearted dropout, Helping Paws is establishing a memorial fund. The initiative will help connect service dogs with veterans and first responders dealing with PTSD — continuing the mission that brought Gilbert into their lives.
He may not have worn a service vest, but Gilbert still lived a life of love, comfort, and loyalty. In every way that mattered, he was a hero.
