'I Have Peace Of Mind': Local Actress Shares How Her Service Dog Helps With Anxiety

This morning on the Arca Continental Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages Porch we're talking about overcoming anxiety and how a service dog can help in that process.

Joining News On 6's Tess Maune to share more is actress Renee Michaels and her service dog, Harper.

TESS: When you think of an actor, you think of an extrovert who thrives in the spotlight. But you're an example of someone who can be those, but also live with debilitating anxiety. Talk about why you wanted to be an actress, your career, and what it was like before Harper.

RENEE: I have always wanted to be, like I don't even remember a time that I didn't want to be an actress. But my anxiety didn't become an issue until I was an adult. I mean, I've had anxiety as a kid, but I didn't recognize that that's what it was. You know, you just figure that's what everybody deals with. And obviously some people, most people deal with anxiety, generalized anxiety. But there's a difference between just normal being nervous about something and not being able to leave the house at all. And so before her you know, I just managed. But it wasn't easy, you know. But I didn't know what was wrong. I just managed. I did what I had to do, but it just got worse. And so then when we got her and she was fully trained, it made a world of difference. I have a peace of mind knowing that if I'm going to have an episode, because I will disassociate, I will forget where I'm at, I will not be able to find my car, all that kind of stuff. But the peace of mind, knowing that she's there, she'll let me know if I'm getting ready to have a panic attack and to get out. So she's really good about that.

TESS: Harper is a Doberman, which is not the typical breed for service dogs. What made you go with this breed and what was training like?

RENEE: So why a Doberman and it's really a long story, but I'm not going to get into it. But it was 100% God that I got a Doberman. That was a dog that was not on my radar at all. It just so happened that after discussing with my husband that we decided the Doberman was a good fit. I don't know why. I was nuts. Especially I realized how crazy I was when I started training her and it was hard. Doberman, they are the fifth smartest dog breed in the world. They are so smart. It's very, very challenging. She made me feel like she didn't like me for quite a while.

TESS: I knew you don't touch a service dog. But also, you don't need to talk to them. Talk about kind of the rules of engagement with a service dog.

RENEE: If you look at it as, anything that could possibly distract the dog's attention away from its handler is a no no. Because there's dogs that, you know, everybody's disability is different. Some people have life-threatening disabilities. If the dog is distracted, it could cause them to miss an alert, which could in turn cause somebody to have a very dangerous situation.

TESS: Service dogs can provide so many health benefits to those who need them, from those struggling with mental health, to physical disabilities, to those living with health conditions. What's your best advice to someone who might be considering a service dog?

RENEE: It's really important that you don't self-diagnose. The law, it doesn't say that you have to have a doctor diagnose you. But it's important because it gives you some validity in knowing that you need a service dog. So if you think you have a condition that a service dog would help you with, then it's important to talk to your psychologist, psychiatrist, doctor, whatever. Somebody that can tell you, 'yes, a service dog would be able to provide you with whatever you need to help you.'