Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
23 Mar 2025
Reply rate
92.6 %
Usually responds within 9 days
Feedback
16
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Email verified
Badges (4)
Details
Description
This is a small foster and adoption program for dogs that is run out of my home in the beautiful Guatemalan town San Juan la Laguna, Lago Atitlán. The dogs and puppies (and sometimes kittens) are rescued from the streets and given love and medical care in a home setting before being adopted by local families in the community.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Aside from the deeply satisfying “work” of playing with and caring for the animals, San Juan la Laguna and the other towns surrounding Lago Atitlán offer a wonderful cultural experience. There is abundant hiking, as well as many workshops and tours teaching the art of naturally dyeing and weaving the the fabrics that this area of Guatemala is known for. You can learn the process of how the local honey is produced, how chocolate is locally made, how the different kinds of coffee is harvested and roasted, the options are endless. Or you can spend your time reading and relaxing at home on the porch with the puppies or napping in your memory foam bed.
Help
Fun and rewarding Workaway opportunity in San Juan la Laguna, Guatemala, for someone who loves animals!
I am looking for one or two volunteers who are interested in helping to take care of my small animal rescue which includes 5-15 dogs/puppies, cats, and a few chickens (daily fresh eggs 🥚).
The animals are all super friendly and fun! The ideal person would be able to play with and socialize the foster puppies/dogs, take some of the older dogs on walks, give baths, help keep the yard clean, and help get the foster puppies/dogs adopted locally. You could even take some of the adults with you for company if you want as you explore beautiful San Juan la Laguna or surrounding towns. Altogether, probably 2-3 hours of actual work throughout the day. For example, help me feed the animals and clean the yard in the morning, then maybe some playtime/baths/walks in the afternoon.
My preference is for 1 or 2 women or a committed couple that really love animals and want to work to give them a better life. The neighborhood where I live is quiet and very conservative so there is no smoking/drugs/ heavy drinking here.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: FluentThis host offers a language exchange
This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
You can contact them directly for more information.
Accommodation
The house is very basic and has 2 bedrooms that are rustically furnished with shelves, a place to hang clothes, and 3 memory foam beds. There is a hot-ish shower in our shared bathroom, coffee maker, filtered drinking water, small refrigerator, gas stove, and toaster over. WiFi is included but I use the basic plan of 5mb/s. For a small fee you can get up to 100mb/s. I am a terrible cook but have a large supply of Raman Noodles that you would be welcome to have. The local market with fresh fruits and vegetables is only a 10 minute walk or you can use the local taxis.
What else ...
San Juan la Laguna and its surrounding towns offer lots of hiking, swimming, kayaking, restaurants, and wonderful cafés. Towns around Lago Atitlán can to visited by boat and each town offers its own unique experience. San Juan is known for being a quieter, more family oriented town filled with art and textiles.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
The kitchen and the bedroom can be easily used for working online. The house tends to be relatively quiet despite the animals, but if needed I have an ultrasonic bark box that can be turned on while working. I teach English online most mornings using the basic unlimited internet plan of 5mb/s but for a small fee we can get up to 100mb/s
Can possibly accept pets
Friendly and vaccinated dogs and cats are welcome here.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Feedback (7)
The… read more
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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:
(4.7)
Communication:
(5.0)
The… read more
The atmosphere was so welcoming, and being surrounded by the dogs made it even more special. Emily’s dedication to caring for the dogs is… read more
Emily is super friendly and helpful! We stayed for about a week and could have easily stayed much longer. We fell in love with several dogs we wish we could have taken home with us (!!!) We had great adventures walking the older dogs around town, they are super friendly and easy… read more
