Let Freedom bring it

By Catherine E. Toth
Advertiser Staff Writer

Melanie Johnson cuddles her dog, Freedom, in her home yesterday. Recently Johnson, who uses a wheelchair, tipped over in her home. Freedom, a specially trained service dog, fetched Johnson's cordless phone so she could call for help. Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser

She lay on the floor of her hallway, next to her wheelchair, and waited.

This is what she always does whenever she falls from her wheelchair, when it tips over or she loses her balance. She lies there and waits for someone to come home. Sometimes that takes hours.

On Wednesday she fell again, this time backward. She hit her head on the tile floor, her legs twisted, the wind knocked out of her. No one was home.

Except for Freedom, an 80-pound purebred golden retriever trained for such situations.

On command, he brought Melanie Johnson the cordless phone from the living room, then greeted the firefighters who responded to her 911 call. In between, Freedom sat by her side.

"It took a few tries. He brought me all his toys first," Melanie Johnson said with a laugh. "He's really a special dog."

According to the Disability and Communication Access Board, part of the state Department of Health, about 20 percent of the people in Hawai'i have some type of disability, from chronic diabetes to blindness. But the number of those in wheelchairs lucky enough to have a service dog like Freedom number well under 50.

"(Service dogs) compensate for limitations of a person," said Francine Wai, executive director of the Disability and Communication Access Board. "They're not pets. They're working animals. And they're extremely important."

Born and raised in Hawai'i Kai, Melanie Johnson joined the Army 18 years ago and met her husband, Mark, in basic training in Alabama. The two married two years later.

Then the aches and pains started. The rash on her face. The severe fatigue. The kidney infections.

She was diagnosed with lupus in 1992. Seven years ago she lost strength in her legs and was put in a wheelchair. Since then she has had two strokes, one just a year ago.

"It's been hard," said Sgt. 1st Class Mark Johnson, a military police officer stationed at Wheeler Army Airfield, where the Johnsons live. "Her medical condition has had an effect on our whole life."

Freedom, who is trained to help wheelchair user Melanie Johnson, is never too far away from his master. Johnson spent two weeks learning 90 commands that the dog already knew, from turning on the lights to fetching drinks out of the refrigerator. Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser

She became so depressed she couldn't get out of bed.

"It was just too much trouble," said the 37-year-old mother of two teenage sons. "I would think, 'What for? Why get out of bed?'"

But a few months ago, she got the call she had been waiting for: She was eligible to get a service dog from Hawai'i Canines For Independence on Maui.

For two weeks she trained with Freedom, learning the more than 90 commands the dog already knew, from turning on lights to getting drinks out of the refrigerator. During that time the two bonded — and now they are inseparable.

"We go everywhere," she said, rubbing his back as he lay at her feet. "He's the only one who goes to chick flicks with me."

Hawai'i Canines For Independence trains the dogs, which are sponsored by various companies that pay for the total care of the animal from food to medical bills. The Johnsons didn't have to pay for the dog but have taken over the financial responsibilities of owning one.

And Freedom has made all the difference in her life.

"I feel so wonderful with him, I can't even describe what he's done for me," she said.

Instead of sitting at home, watching TV alone, Melanie Johnson takes Freedom walking twice a day. She goes shopping, watching movies, eats out. She has even started playing wheelchair tennis every Tuesday at Ala Moana Beach Park.

"Her self-confidence has improved a lot," said Mark Johnson, 36. "Now it's, 'I can do this, too.' ... I won't stop worrying about her, but I feel better knowing he's here for her."

Melanie Johnson stroked her dog's back and smiled.

"He has made such a difference," she said. "He's really my freedom."

Reach Catherine E. Toth at 535-8103 or ctoth@honoluluadvertiser.com.