Caring Animal FLORA & KIN
Medical alert dogs whose incredible ability to sense when their owner was about to black out allowed him to lead a normal life again.
For 12 years Robert, from North London, had suffered from blackouts that his doctors couldn’t explain even though they put his life at risk.
He was too scared to go outside and felt suicidal, as he could lose consciousness at any time. Robert was finally diagnosed with cardiac syncope, a heart condition that causes him to black out, as well as atonal epilepsy which causes seizures.
Within weeks of Akita Flora coming to live with Robert as a puppy, his life transformed. Robert, now 61, was once again able to venture out as Flora was able to warn him when an attack was about to happen.
The canine, who was then the only Akita qualified and working as a medical alert dog, blocked Robert’s path when she sensed he was about to collapse. She would gently take his hand in her mouth and pull downwards, indicating he should lie down. Once, Flora managed to open the flat door and get the help of neighbours. In the hospital Flora sensed her owner was becoming increasingly unwell during the wait and barked to get the medics’ attention.
The partnership was such a success that Robert decided to get another Akita to keep Flora company. Kin, a Japanese Akita Inu, joined them two years later, and learned to follow Flora’s example. Sadly, Flora died suddenly, days short of her ninth birthday. Since then Kin, now seven, has continued Flora’s caring ways with Robert.
Robert can lose consciousness at any time — for example while crossing a road — making almost any situation dangerous. “Having that warning gives me a few moments to get to safety,” says Robert.
“Flora and Kin gave me my life back.”