We had the good fortune of connecting with Kristin Hartness and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kristin, so before we jump into specifics about your story and work, let’s start higher level. What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
I don’t know if I can name the most important lesson, there are several equally important lessons. Balance is one of the most important. Balance is ongoing and changing. It is something that takes conscious thought to maintain and adjust as needed. This is not a fixed formula for me. When I had children in my home it was important that I was home evenings, mornings and weekends as often as possible. This was a time when work and personal time were compartmentalized. Being available to attend their activities and be present in their lives, supporting, stocking healthy and not so healthy snacks, was important. Work was set to specific times each day, not a 9 to 5 schedule but scheduled blocks that did not interrupt and were not interrupted. Things changed in my life, the children left my home, my schedule became less structured and my focus shifted. Work became a larger part of my life, sometimes set and defined, other times fluid and seamless. The separation between working and not working blurred. Traveling more, working across time zones and needing to talk when it was good for a parent shifted the balance. I had to figure out how to get it back. I love to travel. Viewing new places and revisiting familiar locations is energizing. I am refreshed with the variety of environments. Traveling for work is not less pleasurable than traveling for vacations, often it is more rewarding. Is there room for personal time while traveling for work? Yes. Why am I talking so much about traveling? For me it is key to the balance I need. I need time on my own to recharge. I need to feel connected to different communities. I need to feel productive and to know what I bring to a group is valuable. Knowing this about myself helps me balance my work and personal life. Traveling helps me stay balanced. The change involved with travel reminds me to be conscious of my time and space. Travel is sometimes a long trip involving flights, hotels, meeting, and conferences, other times it is a drive to a school with no luggage required. Being in different places keeps me mindful of time and balance. While I travel, I make sure to take time to appreciate where I am, not to lock myself away in the hotel or a conference room. Each trip gives different opportunities to experience a new community. Visiting a historic location, reading in a town garden or eating the local specialty are personal pleasures, little moments when I am not on the clock, rather I am experiencing joys of being in the community I am visiting. Personal time amidst work time. When not traveling or at the office, I have chosen a few key activities that are important to me and have taken conscious steps to be present in them. Taking time to narrow my focus really helped me to see which activities held me up, making me a better person and which were draining me feeling like a task, something to just get through. By focusing on the specifics I am able to be fully engaged in that moment, that experience, without worrying or being distracted by another. Being present in the moment is easier when I have a good balance because I know there is time for everything.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Never did I think I would become the executive director of a non-profit organization. The path I started with is not the path I ended on. My path changed when I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. It lead me to use a service dog to recapture my independence and to very give it up. That drew the attention of a peer. She asked if she could put my name forward as a candidate to lead a small nonprofit focused on service dogs and children. I said yes. 18 years and I am so honored and proud to be part of Canines for Disabled Kids. I have created and driven program development, working out ways to serve and support families looking for ways to help a loved one with a disability. I love speaking with students, helping them to greater independence – to discover their own paths. I feel like this job was created for me. There are always challenges – how to bring in donations, how to reach those who need. I learned to try new things. To deliver the same message to different audiences. To meet people where they are and guide them to where I need them to be. Canines for Disabled Kids is a small, powerful essential organization that strives to male sure everyone has access to life. And I am proud of all we do


Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Coming to visit my area. First come in the fall. We have the best fall colors and with that comes so much more. Drive to the Cape for the last fried clams and fresh lobsters of the season. Drive to New Hampshire for fresh top grade Maple Syrup. We have one of the last Drive-In movie theatres so grab your favorite snacks and settle in for the evening. Maybe music is more your thing catch a performance at Mechanics Hall or immerse yourself in some of the earliest history of the United States with the countless historic sites, and museums. Food love – no problem local gems and national treasures are just around the corner. Antonio’s for pizza, Sundae School for ice cream, The Public House, The Castle and many more to indulge. You can drive to enjoy the great color and enjoy all these great activities. There is something for everyone. Come eat, love, relax and have fun. Nothing compares to central Massachusetts – from here you can experience it all


Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I shout out to my parents for encouraging me to experience new things; to my first HR director who taught me to question things in the work place – not just accept them; and to the genius created service dogs. God has blessed me having so many wonderful people touch my life. My life is better because of how you touched my life

Website: https://caninesforkids.org/
Instagram: @caninesfordisabledkids
Linkedin: Kristin Hartness
Twitter: @K94Kids
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Caninesforkids/
Youtube: Canines for Disabled Kids

Image Credits
Austin, Paris and mom image credit to Michael Stone Portraits http://michaelstoneportraits.com/