A WONDERDOG who instinctively knows when his owner is about to pass out has been certified the country’s first type two diabetes “hypo alert” dog.

Tinker, the border collie, has saved the life of his owner, Paul Jackson, several times, including when he dragged Mr Jackson home after he collapsed in the street.

When Mr Jackson is about to suffer a “hypo”, or low blood sugar episode, Tinker cries, licks his face or barks to attract attention.

He has been known to give up to half-an-hour’s warning of an attack.

Dogs can be trained to spot type one diabetes hypoglycaemic episodes, but Tinker, a six-year-old rescue dog, is the first known to spot type two difficulties – and, remarkably, began doing so without training.

When the Jackson family spotted his talent, they took him to the Cancer and Bio-detection Dogs charity.

After some work on his social skills, Tinker became a fully-fledged qualified assistance dog, meaning he can accompany Mr Jackson anywhere, wearing his special red jacket.

Mr Jackson, 53, said: “He’s a family pet and a life saver. He means everything to me.

“To me, he’s a fantastic, unbelievable Godsend of a dog.”

Mr Jackson’s diabetes, diagnosed five years ago, became so bad that he was unable to work. He has suffered memory problems and, in diabetesinduced confusion, stepped in front of a bus.

In February, Tinker pulled him several hundred yards back to his home, in Brandon, County Durham, after he collapsed while out walking.

Mr Jackson’s son, James, had to quit Teesside University to become his full-time carer, but Tinker’s gift means he can think about resuming his studies.

Twenty-seven-year-old James said: “I’m flabbergasted.

It’s not just my dad who has got his life back. I don’t feel I have to stay in any more.”

Mr Jackson said: “Tinker has given me my confidence back. Because I can go out for longer walks with him, I’m much healthier and, as my fitness has improved, my condition has gone down. He means everything.”

There are 2.5 million people diagnosed with diabetes in the UK, most of whom have type two diabetes.

For more information on the charity, visit cancerdogs.co.uk