WHEN Robert Stuhldreer’s dog stops suddenly then the 60-year-old knows he may have only a matter of minutes before he could be gripped by a seizure.

Mr Stuhldreer, who lives in Holloway, suffers from atonic epilepsy which can cause him to pass out for at any moment.

Fortunately, his remarkable pooch Kin, a Japanese Akita Inu, is able to sense whether a fit is imminent and either stops in her tracks or blocks her owner’s path and stares him in the eyes as a warning.

She has now received a PDSA (People’s Dipensary for Sick Animals charity) award for being the first “medical alert dog” of her breed in the UK.

Mr Stuhldreer: “I’m very proud of her. Her breed has had some bad press in the past so I’m hoping this will clear their reputation a bit.

“They are bred as hunting dog so they have elevated prey drive and guardian features.”

Some studies have found that dogs detect epileptic fits through smells in human’s sweat.

Kin received her award last week and is pictured on our front page today (Friday) looking very proud of her certificate.

PDSA Awards and Heritage Manager Amy Dickin said: “Kin has been a constant source of comfort and support for Robert during challenging times, and her unwavering devotion makes her a worthy recipient of this award.”

She added: “She joins an illustrious list of animals who have been recognised for the ways they have enriched the lives of their companions.”