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Eden Prairie nonprofit Helping Paws starting fund in honor of Hortman family

By Nick Lentz,
Nick Lunemann
Nick Lunemann
Multi-Skilled Journalist
Nick Lunemann is a multi-skilled journalist for WCCO-TV.
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Nick Lunemann

/ CBS Minnesota

Helping Paws, a Minnesota-based nonprofit that trains and places assistance dogs with veterans and first responders with PTSD, is starting a fund in honor of the late House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her family.

The nonprofit on Monday announced the Hortman Heroes Fund, which will support "programs that place highly skilled service dogs with individuals who have sacrificed for their communities and country."

Melissa Hortman, her husband Mark and their dog Gilbert were shot and killed in their Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, home on June 14. Gilbert was a former Helping Paws service dog in training.

"This was a profound loss for the entire Helping Paws community, as we mourn the passing of two dedicated volunteers and a beloved dog who trained in our program," Helping Paws Executive Director Alyssa Golob said in a news release on Monday. "Melissa served her community in more ways than one, and the Hortmans' commitment to our mission and to helping others was unwavering."

Melissa and Mark Hortman volunteered with Helping Paws to train dogs to be service animals.

Brian Bergson is one of many people who are getting help because of the nonprofit.

"I came home from Afghanistan, and I struggled. That led to a lot of isolation and some bad decisions," Bergson said.

Things started to change when Helping Paws matched him up with Vanek, a golden retriever named after former University of Minnesota Gopher and Minnesota Wild Player Thomas Vanek.

"It created a schedule for me, and it helped me, because I didn't go out. I wouldn't go out in public," Bergson said. "They help you when you're anxious. They notice and they shake you up."

Sophie and Colin Hortman, children of Melissa and Mark Hortman, said their parents treasured their relationship with the Eden Prairie nonprofit.

"Our family is committed to the work that Helping Paws is doing, and we look forward to the positive impact that this fund will have in providing healing and support for veterans and first responders," Sophie and Colin Hortman said in a joint statement in the release.

Helping Paws said it plans to recognize the fund at an event later this year.

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