Hennepin County recognizes Helping Paws and the Hortman Heroes Fund

The Hennepin County Board of Commissioners unanimously adopted a proclamation recognizing Helping Paws and the Hortman family for their work training assistance dogs and establishing the Hortman Heroes Fund.

During the presentation, the clerk read that Helping Paws trains and places assistance dogs for people with disabilities, veterans and first responders and that "training and matching an assistance dog requires approximately 2.5 years, thousands of volunteer hours, and an investment of approximately $40,000." Alisa of Helping Paws described the organization's response to the Hortman family loss and said, "It's my pledge to the family. It's my pledge to those kids." Commissioner Edelson moved the proclamation and the board voted to adopt it and take a group photo following the meeting.