Camilla Jessen
Melissa Hortman’s dog dies after being injured in shooting.
Gilbert wasn’t supposed to be a pet. Trained through the nonprofit Helping Paws, the golden retriever was meant to become a service dog for someone in need.
But instead of following commands, Gilbert gave his affection freely—tail wagging, face nuzzling, stealing hearts wherever he went. It’s that same warmth that made Minnesota State Rep. Melissa Hortman and her family fall in love with him.
When Gilbert was “released” from the service dog program for being too friendly, the Hortmans got to keep him.
Gilbert became a full-time companion to the family, often appearing in Zoom calls and meetings at the Capitol, occasionally even climbing onto Hortman’s lap.
A Capitol Fixture
The Hortmans first got involved with Helping Paws through their daughter Sophie’s senior project. Their first dog, Minnie, went on to change the life of a veteran struggling with PTSD.
But Gilbert—who failed the final round of training—stayed close to home.
“When she wanted a dog, because she was having a hard time, she didn’t just get a dog—she got a dog she had to give away,” Rep. Zack Stephenson told the Star Tribune. “Classic Melissa.”
Gilbert became a Capitol favorite, and a comfort during times of national upheaval—after the Capitol riot, during the pandemic, in the wake of George Floyd’s murder.
A Heartbreaking Ending
That comfort came to a sudden end on June 14, when Gilbert was gravely injured in the same attack that killed Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark.
The couple were victims of a targeted shooting that also left State Senator John Hoffman and his wife wounded.
The suspect, Vance Boelter, was captured after a manhunt.
Helping Paws confirmed Gilbert’s death in a statement: “It is with heavy hearts that we share the tragic news of Gilbert’s passing. He did not survive the attack at the Hortman family’s home.”
According to Rep. Erin Koegel, the couple’s adult children made the difficult decision to euthanize Gilbert to end his suffering. “When I heard that Gilbert had passed, too, I just knew it was because Melissa needed him. She needed him with her,” Koegel said during a safety briefing.
The bond between Hortman and Gilbert was well known in Minnesota political circles. Her colleagues even joked about sneaking legislative language into a bill to bring him back during his final stint at training school.
“When he dropped out, I think that was probably her happiest moment of the whole training,” said Rep. Jamie Long. “She loved Mark Hortman, but the true love of her life was Gilbert.”