(SPCALA photo via Twitter)

LOS ANGELES (May 7, 2012)--Three years ago, Bear was a 100-pound Shiloh German shepherd nobody wanted at a Texas shelter, but on Monday he was honored with the 30th National Hero Dog award by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles.

In May 2011, Bear's owner, Debbie Zeisler of Millsap, suffered a seizure, fell down some steps, hit her head and lost consciousness.

Bear scratched on every front door in Zeisler’s neighborhood in the town of 400 west of Fort Worth, but nobody answered.

A Parker County animal control officer finally 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 horseback riding accident 18 years ago.

It’s the 30th time the The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles has recognized the heroic efforts of a dog that’s not specially trained for rescues or law enforcement.