Join me in keeping my dream alive at a luxury dog vacation resort on a beautiful island, Oranjestad, Aruba

Details

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  Description

  Please note: To send all messages in English. Thank you 🙏🏼 😊
  
  
  
  
  Hi, and welcome to our profile!
  
  I am Joop and In the middle of 2014, I started building my dream of many years. A luxury Dog Resort, for dog owners wanting their dog have decent board and lodging when leaving the island and have a good time with all kind of their canine friends.
  We opened our doors in December 2015 and since then there is a steady grow of visiting dogs.
  
  Our dog resort (30.000 sq ft of beautiful land) is laid out for 10 - 12 guest dogs and comprising of 3 pcs fenced, roomy short stay accommodations, double sided, each with its own dog night house, supplied with sufficient soft sleeping/rest couches where they can spend the night. During the daytime they roam around the property, taking advantage of the full 30.000 sq.ft.
  There is a beach area -with real sea sand-, a swimming pond with fish and plants for the dogs (and people), lots of smaller and bigger famous Aruban rocks to climb on (also for dogs and people), lots of room to chase each other (only for dogs), beautiful shady trees to doze away under (for dogs ánd people), lots of places to play hide and seek (nót for people) etc. etc.
  We also love to foster stray dogs and/or puppies, to make them healthy and strong and give them a better future.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Animal Care

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house

  General Maintenance

  Help with Computers/ Internet
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  Aruban people are very kind and hospitable, open and like to share their culture with you. They are very tourist oriented and, on their part, curious about other cultures. Today, the island of 105.000 inhabitants, claims more than 90 different nationalities, who live and work peacefully on the island.
  
  Working with and housing all kinds and breeds of dogs, big- small and different ages, educated and/or trained or even without any prior human contact, gives you the opportunity to learn and understand dog language. We can teach and show you how dogs behave and talk to each other, and to you.

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  Help

  First and foremost we like you to understand the principle of Workaway:
  
  WE provide you with decent board and lodging and you, in return, help!
  
  (Of course, in your time off we encourage you to do as you like, whether it is exploring the island or reading a good book under our trees.)
  We have had our (un)fair share of people with a hidden agenda (i.e. wanting a cheap vacation, no interest in dogs or the Resort, having all kinds of issues or mental problems, etc.).
  We understand (and treat) DOGS with problems, not people, although we are good listeners :-)
  
  Therefor we like to come in contact with enthusiastic, serious and motivated people who can commit to our Dog Resort!
  
  There are lots of big and small tasks. In-between the dog accommodations are 4 fruit gardens, they need to be attended of. The dog suites need to be cleaned and the dogs need to be fed and played with.
  The fence need to be checked and finished and the plants and trees to be watered.
  
  There are plants and bushes and trees to be planted, the landscaping carried out, a white picket fence to be painted, (solar)lighting to be installed, the drinking pond, s need maintenance and the swimming pond need its filter installation and pump, various irrigation supply water pipes have to be installed, (sea)containers to be painted, a patio to be constructed, a compost space to be erected, in the rainy season lots of weeds to be removed , and, and, and..... The list is endless and need urgently to be shortened.
  And, if possible, in these situations we like to learn from you too!
  
  We are open and hospitable people and we like to stay that way!
  You are going to be a part of our family and we would like you to feel at home from the very first second.
  Participate with cooking on request and please help to clear up and do the dishes without being asked. We expect you to help us in the household, do your share in the cleaning.

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  Languages spoken

  German: Fluent
  English: Fluent
  Spanish: Fluent
  Dutch: Fluent

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  Accommodation

  As we ourselves live in a modified 40 ft container we do not have a spare room.
  Therefore we can offer you a sleeping place in our guesthouse/vacation container. It is being transformed in a vacation home this moment and nearly finished. Of course you keep this nice and tidy and clean it when leaving for your next destination!
  Around the house and guesthouse is a free, fast Wifi Internet available. Our laundry machine is available to you on request.

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  What else ...

  You are expected to volunteer max. 25 hours week, after that you can enjoy Aruba with all its beauty, sun, sea and beaches, and, not to forget, the open, friendly and laid-back people of our island.
  If you don't speak Dutch (the official language) or Papiamentu (the native language), don't worry as in Aruba generally everybody speaks at least also English and Spanish!
  
  I cannot even start to mention what vacation activities are available on our island, you name it and it's here.
  Aruba is a (windy) island so all kinds of water sports are practiced here whether it is swimming, scuba diving, sailing, kayaking, surfing, kite surfing etc. etc.
  Google "Aruba", and start preparing yourself. In the end, we are THE vacation island where 1,5 million yearly of American, European (and South American) tourists enjoy our beaches and sun each year! Of course, renting prices are accordingly. Bring ample sun blocker with you and don't forget your sunglasses and baseball cap!
  
  One bicycle for our volunteers is available for free, Aruba is not a big island so everything is within cycling distance while traffic is easy and quiet. Of course, if we are planning on going somewhere we are happy to take you with us. Also, when possible, we can drop you places you plan to visit.
  
  Did I mention we are a DOG resort? Well, it comes in handy if you're are not afraid of dogs, liking dogs is a pré! This also means that, like on a farm, there is some work to be done on Saturday and Sunday and days of festivities as dogs don't take days off!
  If you don't enjoy dogs, don't want to hold, pet and work with them , then you will not be happy here with us. You're not a dog handler? Don't worry, we'll teach you, just be prepared to do some unorthodox tricks to "talk" with our dogs. Tricks, in turn, we learned from the dogs themselves!
  
  In The Netherlands, where we did the same, we were an AEQUOR certified company to instruct and educate young veterinary students with hands-on training with dogs.

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  Two

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  Hours expected

  Maximum 25 hours a week

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