To understand who the Hortmans were. You only need to see the gift. They gave *** struggling veteran. I was really at *** place as Eric Elsner fought through the darkest parts of PTSD. Got *** call and they said, We think we have *** match for you. That match was Minnie, *** service dog who gave him new life. She got me going again, but before Minnie stood by his side. She spent the 1st 2.5 years of her life in the care of Minnesota State Representative Melissa Hortman, her husband, and their daughter. Together they trained this dog to heal. It makes me think of how special family. That’s why the news that Melissa Hortman and her husband were shot and killed. It doesn’t make sense. Its so unthinkably hard. I’m so sad. Everybody is The Hortmans spent countless hours volunteering with Helping Pause, *** nonprofit, now reflecting not on Hortman’s politics but on the quiet legacy she built behind closed doors. She would walk into the building we were in Hopkins at the time and that public persona. Went away and she was totally focused on training Gilbert. Gilbert, the golden retriever, she poured her heart into. He was deemed too friendly to serve as *** working dog, so the Hortmans kept him. Gilbert was also killed in the shooting. He was with his people to the very end, people who gave Eric his loyal companion. I don’t know how you can match any better, honestly, and *** second chance at life. I will. I always think of them.
Advertisement
Minnesota lawmaker’s dog dies after weekend attack at family home
The family dog of Melissa Hortman, the Minnesota lawmaker shot to death in her home alongside her husband, Mark Hortman, has died after injuries sustained in the weekend attack.Helping Paws, an animal non-profit outside Minneapolis, said the golden retriever, Gilbert, did not survive the attack. The organization said Gilbert was originally brought to the center to be trained as a service dog. Melissa Hortman, who worked as a foster home trainer for Helping Paws, eventually adopted Gilbert into their family. “This is a profound loss for the entire Helping Paws community,” a statement on the Helping Paws Facebook page reads. “We are mourning the loss of two dedicated volunteers and one of our beloved dogs who once trained in our program.”Vance Boelter, 57, surrendered to police Sunday night after they found him in the woods near his home after a massive two-day search. He is accused of fatally shooting the Hortmans in their home early Saturday in the northern Minneapolis suburbs.Authorities say he also shot and wounded Minnesota state Sen. John Hoffman, a Democrat, and his wife, Yvette, who lived a few miles away.Federal prosecutors charged Boelter with murder and stalking, which could result in a death sentence if convicted. He already faces state charges, including murder and attempted murder. At a federal court hearing Monday in St. Paul, Boelter said he could not afford an attorney. A federal public defender was appointed to represent him, and he was being held without bail pending a court appearance next week.The Associated Press contributed to this report
The family dog of Melissa Hortman, the Minnesota lawmaker shot to death in her home alongside her husband, Mark Hortman, has died after injuries sustained in the weekend attack.
Helping Paws, an animal non-profit outside Minneapolis, said the golden retriever, Gilbert, did not survive the attack.
Advertisement
The organization said Gilbert was originally brought to the center to be trained as a service dog. Melissa Hortman, who worked as a foster home trainer for Helping Paws, eventually adopted Gilbert into their family.
“This is a profound loss for the entire Helping Paws community,” a statement on the Helping Paws Facebook page reads. “We are mourning the loss of two dedicated volunteers and one of our beloved dogs who once trained in our program.”
Vance Boelter, 57, surrendered to police Sunday night after they found him in the woods near his home after a massive two-day search. He is accused of fatally shooting the Hortmans in their home early Saturday in the northern Minneapolis suburbs.
Authorities say he also shot and wounded Minnesota state Sen. John Hoffman, a Democrat, and his wife, Yvette, who lived a few miles away.
Federal prosecutors charged Boelter with murder and stalking, which could result in a death sentence if convicted. He already faces state charges, including murder and attempted murder. At a federal court hearing Monday in St. Paul, Boelter said he could not afford an attorney. A federal public defender was appointed to represent him, and he was being held without bail pending a court appearance next week.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
This post was originally published on this site be sure to check out more of their content.
