Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristine Dvonch.
Hi Kristine, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I grew up in a horse family, getting my first pony at 3 years old. Candy was a gem, truly a best friend and I lived every little horse-loving girls dream. My professional background was management and customer service until I had 4 children then transitioning to a stay-at-home mom. Those were incredibly rewarding years and I discovered the tradeoff is you give up a piece of who you are. A part of your soul becomes one with your children however they grow up and I found myself a bit lost. What gives me purpose at this juncture of my life? Making dinner? Laundry? Birthday parties? Waiting for the kids to get home from school? Who am I? For an extrovert like myself, it was lonely. Nine years ago, I found Horses’ Haven as a volunteer opportunity that I could participate in while the kids were in school. It was a lovely equine sanctuary in Howell that was driven by the generosity of a huge group of volunteers. I saw great potential to help the beautiful animals which had shaped so much of my life. I had found my purpose! As of today, I am Operations Manager at Horses’ Haven. The years of growth and change were challenging both personally and professionally. The heart of the people who willingly give of their time is still the foundation of the farm (5 staff and 120+ volunteers) which now focuses on making an impact by training and adopting the horses we rescue into new homes allowing us to help so many more at-risk horses. Developing the teams needed to shift from a sanctuary to an adoption agency, forming nationwide and local collaborations to better serve the animals in our care as well as the personal friendships along the way has been incredibly rewarding. I am blessed to have a job that I can’t wait to get to each and every morning. There is magic in coming together as a collective, being a part of something bigger than yourself or the bubble some find themselves in with everyday life, and truly making a difference.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Change can be messy business! I have learned to embrace the messiness as the other side of change is always brighter. There were struggles with time. Juggling work with a family who was used to 100% of you was difficult. There were struggles in finding ways to balance what a growing non-profit could financially support and how to continue to explore and build each layer of growth. There were programs that just did not work and had to be torn apart several times to be successful. There are and always will be challenges of the heart in making the right choice for the animals in my care. They are not always easy choices.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Operations Manager Horses’ Haven
Howell MI
A 501 c 3 non-profits since 1995 whose mission is to Rescue-Rehabilitate-Retrain-Rehome at risk equines
Manage staff, intakes, adoptions, herd health, the farms’ programs and processes, adoptions, networking, collaboration, community events, and fundraising.
I am personally known for being outgoing, direct, open, and transparent in dealing with potential adopters.
Horses’ Haven has developed a solid rehabilitation program producing good equine citizens and a comfortable, friendly process to potential adopters.
I am most proud of the changes made to create a culture of appropriate quality-of-life choices for our animals and the huge change from a sanctuary where most horses stayed for life to a place where they receive top-notch vetting and training to prepare them for their next home. Last year, Horses’ Haven had 118 intakes and 78 horses adopted. I cherish the many people I have met along the way.
I am passionate about equine welfare and education. I very much enjoy working with and providing educational opportunities to horses owners, law enforcement/animal control, and veterinary students.
What are your plans for the future?
Personally, I am enjoying the journey of being a parent of budding adults. Getting to know them as a friend and supporting their sometimes-curvy road to adulthood. Professionally looking forward to continued growth in staff, facilities, and educational opportunities. We are in the planning process of building a health facility both to better serve our horses and to offer veterinary/equine management students a place they can learn, intern, participate in and get hands-on experience in a friendly, horse-diverse atmosphere.
Contact Info:
- Website: horseshaven.org
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MIHorsesHaven
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9M2ZejinLWIQWvvuug6bDQ
