Texas Dog Honored as 30th National Hero Dog Three years ago, Bear was a 100-pound Shiloh German shepherd nobody wanted at a Texas shelter. On Monday, he was honored with the 30th National Hero Dog award by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles. Last May, Bear's owner, Debbie Zeisler (ZYE'-sluhr) had a seizure, fell down some steps, hit her head and lost consciousness. Bear scratched on every front door in their Millsap, Texas, neighborhood but nobody answered. A Parker County animal control officer saw the frantic dog and went to help. Bear led the officer to Zeisler. The award organization says the dog recognizes signs of imminent seizures and will lean on Zeisler's legs so she can sit down before they happen. The seizures started after a horse riding accident 18 years ago.