About The Director

Kristin Hartness, Executive Director

Kristin and Asha

Kristin holds a Bachelor of Arts from Franklin Pierce College, Rindge, NH.

An accomplished public speaker, Kristin speaks nationally and internationally on the value of assistance dogs in the lives of people living with a variety of disabilities.

A service dog user herself, Kristin knows firsthand the independence a service dog brings to an individual.

Kristin has lived with Multiple Sclerosis since she was 16 years old, when symptoms first appeared.

Kristin with Bronson

In April of 2001, she was partnered with her first service dog, Laddie, a smooth coat collie. Laddie was dual trained for retrieval skills and for balance and stability while walking.Laddie retired in 2008 and Bronson, also a smooth coat collie, retired in 2012.

Kristin’s newest partner, Asha, a smooth coat collie, continues to bring independence to Kristin’s active life.  Their partnership started in 2013.

Laddie, Kristin, and Bronson