Max i. Million lives up to his name: he's a theatre hound, an Instagram star, a promoter of mental health, and a special companion. This week, he's making friends with the cast and production staff of "The Invention of Romance".
While rehearsals get underway at STC, Max keeps things calm and playful.
Whether he's inspiring production workers to take a break to offer him a stick, or he's sharing the couch where actors and actresses are reading lines, his presence is felt and appreciated by all.
"He's so calming: for everybody — even those of us here in the office," said John McHenry, the Artistic Director at Sudbury Theatre Centre. "We just love him."
Judi Straughan, director of "The Invention of Romance" echoed similar feelings.
"He's very protective of all of us; he's a very caring, very gentle, and very funny dog," she said.
Max is playing much more than the role of 'dog' behind the scenes at STC. For his owner, Tracy Lynn Cann, he functions a service dog in tune with her feelings of anxiety. Cann is stage managing for the STC production, and travels with Max often.
"He's actually here as a service dog for myself. He usually senses heart-rate acceleration before it happens, (so) he'll give me a paw or he'll give me a bark to let me know to maybe take a deep breath and let it go."
If Tracy goes into a full-blown panic attack, Max will ask to be brought up into her arms where he will go heart-to-heart with his head on her shoulder. He slows his heart rate and breathing so that she will follow his lead.
The thing about panic attacks is that they often come without warning. For this reason, Max's attunement to Tracy's physiology before an attack occurs is especially appreciated. Symptoms can include chest pain, stomach discomfort, heart palpitations, shortness of breath and dizziness.
While anxiety disorders are the most common of all mental health problems in this country (affecting one in 10 of all Canadians, according to Health Canada, most people are only aware of two types of treatment: cognitive behavioural therapy and medication, or a combination of both.
A prescription from a doctor is necessary in order to apply for the adoption of a service dog that has been trained by an organization such as National Service Dogs.
Presently, no form of standardization exists to make certifying service dogs possible. Instead, dogs are identified by the role they play in a person's treatment. They may be trained by their owners, or by an organization.
Max has been trained by Cann and for her, the results have been more than just notable.
"Within one year of owning Max, I was able to come off all medication and in consultation with my psychotherapist and family doctor, Max became a service dog and I began to take my life back," Cann said.
"There is a line in 'The Invention of Romance' that reads, 'She thinks I rescued her but really, we rescued each other.' That line gets me every time."
You can see the fruits of Max's labour behind the scenes during the run of 'The Invention of Romance,' Feb. 8-25.
