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Help with our therapy horse farm and homestead in rural northern Oregon, USA

United States
Last activity : 8 May 2025

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Host rating
100 %
Last replied
8 May 2025
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 2 days
Feedback
13
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Availability

2025

Min stay requested: 1 month or more

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What's this?

Details

Description
The core of what we do is use the therapeutic and intuitive qualities of animals to heal humans with our equine and farm therapy programs. We also breed horses and use many different types of animals to help people heal. Our 20 acre homestead is in Newberg, Oregon. We also grow lots of veggies and raise animals for meat. We are located in a picturesque rural area with beautiful places to walk or run.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Charity Work
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
General Maintenance
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
...
...
What's this?
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
To be considered, you will need to be able to stay for a minimum of two months. We invest a lot of effort into training volunteers, and it is only worth it for us if volunteers stay at least two months. On average, volunteers stay 3-4 months, and by the end, they often say that the time went too fast. We have seen that volunteers who stay longer gain a much deeper understanding of animal stewardship and care, and reap more personal benefits.

If you would like to apply to volunteer here, please start by messaging us with your answers to the following questions. How do you feel about spending your days with animals and caring for animals? Are you looking to make a two-month commitment, minimum? We look forward to hearing from you!

Volunteers must have health insurance. For US residents, you will be able to qualify for free health insurance through Oregon Health Plan.

We are a non-smoking household and facility.
Help
Our Workaway volunteers help us care for the small animals and horses, help us with gardening and other projects, and support our equine-assisted psychotherapy program. We have rabbits, chickens, ducks, a llama, sheep, goats, cats, dogs, horses, miniature horses, mini donkies, doves, peacocks, and a pig named Stinkerbelle.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Fluent
Accommodation
Groceries for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks are provided. We have really enjoyed and appreciated the volunteers that have come to our farm and family through Workaway. We value open communication, respect, and community. We welcome all people, no matter your sexual orientation, race, religion, gender identity, country of origin, or age. We expect all volunteers to show respect towards others while they are here. We have a shared apartment for volunteers that includes a kitchen and a bathroom. This is an all-gender space. Laundry is available on-site.
What else ...
Unfortunately we cannot accommodate pets. We have a variety of free-range animals and a careful balance exists that allows all our animals to coexist in a healthy and safe way. It's not possible for us to temporarily take dogs, cats, or horses during your stay.
A little more information
- Internet access
- Limited internet access
- We have pets
- We are smokers
- Can host families
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two

Host ref number: 171444762715

Website Safety

Feedback (7)

16 Nov 2024

Left by Workawayer (Nina) for host

I don't even know how to begin to describe my experience at the Sanctuary. It has barely been a week since I had to say goodbye and I'm already yearning to be back. Katie and Rose are such welcoming and deeply caring people that I felt at home from the day I arrived. They treat all of their animals with the upmost respect and love and give them a… read more chance to live their best life on the farm. Rose and Katie truly want everyone to thrive and have successfully created a safe haven for both the animals and every person who visits the sanctuary for their individual needs.

I was on the farm from July until the beginning of November so I got to experience working in the dry heat as well as during the rainy colder days. Due to a very detailed and clearly structured list provided by Katie, I was able to complete my daily tasks with ease. Whenever I did have a question or there was any problem at all, Katie was fast to respond and help me which I appreciated a lot. I was at the farm long enough that I was able to experience what it was like volunteering at different times of day. From the peaceful morning feed at 7 AM while the sun is rising to calling in the goats, sheep and THE most precious dogs Meadow and Aspen from the forest late in the afternoon, I had the chance to get involved in almost all tasks that had to be completed every day during my stay and I loved every second of it. While the work is physically demanding and can get a little tiring in the beginning, it was so fun to see myself get stronger and faster every week! The work is so rewarding and I looked forward to the different tasks I had each day. I loved any special projects or helping out during an event held on the farm, I always felt accomplished and happy at the end of the day:)

Now to another crucial part of the farm; the animals.
If you're looking for the most amazing horses, loving miniature horses and donkeys, hilarious goats and sheep, cute rabbits, funny chickens, a friendly lama, curious geese and peacocks or adorable cats and dogs, look no further. They have it all! Each and every animal has their own unique personality and a very special place in my heart. One thing they all have in common is their readiness for love and attention. It doesn't matter if you're just sitting with them, petting them or grooming them, they are happy either way. Especially the horses give back SO much and are able to help clients in private therapy sessions in lots of different ways.

Overall, I could not have wished for a better first Workaway experience and I encourage everyone who is not afraid of physical work and has a deep love for animals to reach out to the Sanctuary. It truly is a one of a kind place that has taught me so much about myself and how special animals really are. I loved it so much that I have already planned another stay in the coming year, so if that doesn't convince you of how amazing this place is, then I don't know what can!

Thank you to all my wonderful roommates and thank you, Rose and Katie, for everything you have done for me<3

All my love and see you soon,
Nina:)

(Excellent )

17 Sep 2024

Left by host for Workawayer (Irene)

Irene is amazing! She’s extremely versatile and competent. While she was here, she excelled at everything we had for her, whether it was medicating animals, helping run large events, helping with the daily and weekly chores for all the animals, gardening, socializing animals. She is somebody who really thrives when there are challenges and even… read more

(Excellent )

18 Jul 2024

Left by Workawayer (Irene) for host

What a time! If you love dogs, horses, cats, sheep, goats, chickens, and more, this is your place! The ranch is such a peaceful place, giving you a nice break from the city life if that's what you are used to. The scenery is absolutely stunning, and Rose and Katie are just so lovely!
I'm very grateful I got to see the Oregonian spring (btw such a… read more

(Excellent )

17 Sep 2024

Left by host for Workawayer (Sydney)

Syd was an awesome addition to our farm! She is kind and compassionate, a fantastic listener, and a deep thinker. While she was here, I saw a transformation in her, and I was very happy to see how she really thrived and leaned into the challenges of farm life and animal care. Over time, she began to take on more depth and responsibility in her… read more

(Excellent )

2 Sep 2024

Left by Workawayer (Sydney) for host

A sanctuary indeed! My three-month stay on the farm was a transformational experience that I will always hold close to my heart. If you are open to learning from animals nine times your size, working hard six days a week, and being entertained by the many charismatic cats running about (especially Mowgli, the most cuddly cat you'll ever meet),… read more

(Excellent )

View all 7 feedbacks

Photos

$The image shows a close-up of a goat\'s head, with a woman and other goats in the background of a fenced-in area.$

$The image shows a person holding a small dog, with the dog\'s head tilted to the left and its body facing the right. The background is a light-colored wall. The dog appears to be a small breed.$

Feedback

These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.

Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)

Cultural exchange:
(5.0)

Communication:
(5.0)

16 Nov 2024

Left by Workawayer (Nina) for host

(Excellent)

17 Sep 2024

Left by host for Workawayer (Irene)

(Excellent)

18 Jul 2024

Left by Workawayer (Irene) for host

(Excellent)

17 Sep 2024

Left by host for Workawayer (Sydney)

(Excellent)

2 Sep 2024

Left by Workawayer (Sydney) for host

(Excellent)

23 Jun 2024

Left by host for Workawayer (Philipp)

Phil is amazing! He spent 4 months here, and became an integral part of our community and daily life, and we were all very sad when he had to leave! His bubbly and conversational spirit was contagious, and brought joy to all his interactions. I loved how he put energy into ideas to build community and connection on the farm, like organizing… read more

(Excellent)

20 Jun 2024

Left by Workawayer (Philipp) for host

I can't believe almost 3 months past since I left the farm. I want to thank Katie and Rose for the wonderful time at their place from December until April. Even though I missed most of the beautiful weather Oregon has to offer in spring, I enjoyed my stay during the one week freezing cold period (smash those icy water buckets!), the wet rainy… read more days, and the few sunny days we got. It's all about opportunities and how you embrace them... oh, and that you wear good boots!

Life on the farm is not always easy, but you will get many chances to grow and learn plenty of life skills. If you just look for a cheap way to stay in the area, this is not the place for you. But I recommand everybody who loves animals and is not afraid of some physical work to get in contact with them. The work is demanding, but never to much, and Katie will always check that it's appropriat for your abilities. She is not only a wonderful "boss" (haha, she doesn't like to be called boss :-P) but also a wonderful person to be around, always looking out for everybodys well being. You will either get assigned the morning or afternoon shift, and have the other half day off. You might need a car to explore the surrounding. Katie and Rose might be able to take you to town, but this is not guaranteed.

Things you learn during your stay:
- Fight the poop!: Plenty of horses mean plenty of poop. Get your muscles to work and scoop them up. Most of the workawayers were never in better shape!
- People skills!: You will share the apartement with three other people in two bunk beds. It's a great opportunity to improve your communication skills and taking care of each others needs. You will have plenty of time to get new impressions from different culture. Embrace it. Oh... and Mogli (a cat) owns the apartment. Your just a guest. Never forget that ;-) He will pay you with tons of snuggles for your service.
- Chick-assic Park!: Chickens ARE little dinosaurs. If you are lucky enough to be in the chicken feeding shift, they will run towards you with joy, finally getting fed. Don't worry, they won't eat YOU. But they will follow you to their coop. Your own little private dinosaur army.
- Aspen + Meadow = Love: If you are a dog person, these two will steal your heart. Definitely embrace it!
- Donkey and Minis: They might be smaller and horses, but they get equal amount of love (poop smaller though).

So... what are you still doing reading this review! Click the "Contact" button and write them already. You will not regret it.

Katie and Rose, thank you so much for everything. I had a wonderful time. And who knows what destiny has in mind... our path might cross again :-)

(Excellent)

29 May 2023

Left by Workawayer (Lilly & Leonie) for host

Guten Tag, we are the germans Leonie and Lilly, and we were volunteers at the sancturary in early 2023.
We learned a lot about life, how to take care of animals and were able to improve our English skills at the farm.

We had a great time working here because of all the friendly and helpful people and the other volunteers we‘ve met .
The animals… read more

(Excellent)

24 May 2023

Left by host for Workawayer (Lilly & Leonie)

Both of these young women were incredible assets to our team while they were here, and wonderful additions to our community. They arrived with so much positive energy to contribute, and integrated flawlessly into our operation. One of their best attributes is their adaptability and ability to learn fast. I truly believe that they could learn any… read more job and do it well. Lilly and Leonie would be a lovely addition to any team, and I believe they could be successful on any Workaway farm or operation!

For Lilly specifically: With her positive attitude and easy smile, Lilly has been a wonderful addition to our community during her time here. I appreciated how she would look ahead at the schedule and ask clarifying questions in advance of the day’s activity. This kind of foresight really helped me as her manager, so that I had time to answer questions that came up, instead of being asked right in the moment for a quick answer. With a constantly changing environment on our farm, sometimes I forget to give all the necessary details in my instructions. Lilly was really good at asking important questions to make sure she could do the job correctly, instead of just making adjustments and doing whatever she thought was right. I really appreciated the checking in and that she made sure things were being done the way we wanted them done. We have a lot of animals, and we have a busy therapy schedule that we maintain for our equine therapy program, so her attention to detail was perfect for our operation. Lilly is absolutely trustworthy and reliable. She showed up every day with energy and focus, and she did an excellent job with everything we gave her. Her true love and care for the animals showed through in the attention she gave them both during work hours and outside of work hours. She went above and beyond by also spending time grooming the animals during her free time.

For Leonie: Leonie was an amazing addition to our community during her time here. She is competent and learns fast. She took to her new responsibilities quickly and with ease, and I found early on that she maintains a level of excellency in her work without supervision. She has a meticulous and detail-oriented nature, which is perfect for our operation. She played an important role here, feeding the horses their daily dinner, which required individualized care for each animal, medicine for some, and an observant eye. She proved to be a great observer of animals, often noticing signs of illness or injury. She learned to handle horses, and to assertively uphold their training on a daily basis, and she took to this new challenge like a natural. She came to me with good ideas to make things more efficient, and has great communication skills. Leonie got along great with the other volunteers here, and easily made connections with others. This is an asset to a team where lots of people’s jobs overlap and intersect with each other. Diligent and respectful, she did not make assumptions about how things should be done. She was reliable in all of her work here, and overall an awesome part of our team. She stepped up to the work with maturity, willingness, positivity, and true care for the animals and the people here.

Warmly,

KATIE

(Excellent)

18 Apr 2023

Left by host for Workawayer (Lila)

Lila was an awesome addition to our community during their time here! Lila had a genuine interest in the work we do and a true love and care for animals and the people here. They did very well with the horses and the other animals, and were not afraid of difficult challenges that the horses sometimes present. Lila communicated with management… read more

(Excellent)

15 Apr 2023

Left by Workawayer (Lila) for host

My time at the host was incredible! This is a place where I felt really safe being myself. Katie was so welcoming and made me feel at home on the farm and in the wwoofer apartment. Her training approach was concise and thorough, plus she provided a written schedule that broke down the day + individual tasks in a way that made it impossible to get… read more

(Excellent)

12 Dec 2022

Left by Workawayer (Ashleigh) for host

I had an amazing time! I got to explore my love for animals and learn so many things! Everyone was so accommodating and welcoming during my stay. I enjoyed our family dinners during the week and being able to explore the town on my time off. Be ready to work when you come; but it is so rewarding! The horses were amazing and I felt a bound to them… read more

(Excellent)

2 Dec 2022

Left by host for Workawayer (Ashleigh)

Ashleigh has been a great addition to our farm and homestead! She is a natural with the animals, and her assertive nature has helped her in handling the horses and even medicating them. She is observant of the animals, and consistent in her work. One thing I have especially appreciated is the ability to handle small changes to her job on a regular… read more

(Excellent)

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Help with our therapy horse farm and homestead in rural northern Oregon, USA

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Last replied

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Find your perfect host

Availability

Details

Description

Types of help and learning opportunities

UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

Help

Languages spoken

Accommodation

What else ...

A little more information

How many Workawayers can stay?

Feedback (7)

Photos

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