The Hortmans' beloved dog Gilbert also killed in Saturday shooting
Gilbert, the beloved golden retriever of Melissa and Mark Hortman, was also killed in the attack at their home early Saturday morning.
House Rep. Erin Koegel first revealed in a social media post that the Hortmans' children, Sophie and Colin, made the decision to euthanize Gilbert after learning he would not survive the injuries he sustained in the shooting.
The news was confirmed Monday by Helping Paws, a nonprofit based in Eden Prairie that breeds, trains, and places service assistance dogs. The dogs are dedicated towards helping those with physical disabilities, as well as first responders and veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder.
The organization says Hortman served as a foster home trainer with the nonprofit, raising Minnie, a Labrador now paired with a veteran.
Hortman also helped raise and train Gilbert, a golden retriever, but he was reportedly "too friendly" to be a working dog and was eventually adopted by the family.
Helping Paws plans on establishing a fund to honor the Hortman family and Gilbert, with the money raised going towards "placing service dogs with veterans and first responders living with PTSD."This story was originally reported by Bring Me The News on Jun 17, 2025, where it first appeared.
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