Gilbert, a golden retriever with a gentle spirit and a constantly wagging tail, was never destined for a traditional path. Originally trained through the nonprofit Helping Paws as a service dog, Gilbert’s journey took a different turn—one that touched countless lives, including those of Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her family.
In 2021, Hortman welcomed Gilbert into her home as part of a service dog training program. The goal was for him to be matched with someone in need of daily support. But Gilbert’s personality proved too affectionate and social for the focused role of a service animal. As Alyssa Golob, executive director of Helping Paws, explained, “Some dogs are naturally drawn to everyone—and while that’s a beautiful trait, service dogs need to stay focused on one person.”
When Gilbert didn’t quite meet the criteria to graduate, he found his forever home with the very people who had trained him. Hortman, who had grown especially attached to Gilbert during a challenging period marked by national events and personal stress, gladly kept him as a full-time companion.
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