Dog Nobody Wanted is Honored as National Lifesaving Hero

Three years ago, Bear was a 100-pound Shiloh German shepherd nobody wanted at a Texas shelter.

Monday, he was given the 30th National Hero Dog award by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals for rescuing Debbie Zeisler from numerous seizures since his adoption. Even without formal training, the dog can sense each and every episode before it happens.

The 5 year-old dog from Milsap, Texas is a living testament to how being kind to animals can deliver the ultimate reward.

Last year, Debbie ignored his warning of her need to sit down and a seizure struck while she was walking down the stairs. She fell, hit her head and lost consciousness. ‘Bear’ went from door to door throughout the neighborhood trying to find someone to help. No one was home, but the dog didn’t stop searching for help.

He was about a block away from home when, as luck would have it, an animal control officer spotted him. Bear led the officer to Debbie, lying in the hot sun, disoriented and confused. When paramedics arrived, Bear hopped in the ambulance to accompany her to the hospital.

Bear naturally developed the ability to sense an oncoming seizure. He directs Debbie to take her medication every morning and on occasion, has fetched it for her.

“This just goes to show how amazing shelter dogs can be,” said spcaLA President, Madeline Bernstein.

The family was given a year’s supply of pet food donated by Natural Balance Pet Foods and a commemorative plaque from the SPCA, Los Angeles.

(READ the AP story in NBC-DFW)