And even when using only the core rule book, there is the notion of Gifted Companions, so having the Gift does not imply having had the Gift opened to any tradition.
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No, I did not post to point out that very simple issue. I pointed out that familiars as defined in ArMDE 08-laboratory and TRME p.66f Spirit Familiar cannot be Gifted and not have the RoP:M p.37 Gifted Virtue. Being a familiar and being Gifted is incompatible.
If in a specific saga some familiars are Gifted, can get their Arts opened and/or join TMRE mysteries, this changes the Order for that saga - and there is no help provided about this for the troupe in the ArM rules. Start from issues like "Can a Gifted familiar with the Hermetic arts opened bind a familiar?" and "Can a Gifted familiar train as an Hermetic apprentice, may learn the Parma and become an Hermetic magus?".
I bow to your great mastery of RAW. 
But I don't have to like that specific wording.
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Why? See that "any activity"? Apparently the assistance can transcend time and space. Even assisting activities normally governed by Leadership limits, because that rule specifically applies to helpers "in the lab"!*
Right now, there are Gifted Hedge Witches helping magi long dead and a thousand miles away.
Your problem was having an opinion rather than perfecting mastery of the RAW.
*So of course the simple work-around has always been kibbutzing from just outside the lab. "Hey, Fulminare! Why don't you add another candle? And move that one over a little ... no the other way!"