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If you are NOT a US CITIZEN and are planning to visit to work, volunteer or study, YOU WILL NEED THE CORRECT VISA. To find out more information you need to contact the embassy in your home country BEFORE travelling.
My name is Laura and I am from California. My husband is Friedhelm and he is from Germany. We live in a suburb of Washington DC. I am a high school teacher and my husband is a doctor for the Veterans Administration. We have four children but they all live in Europe now. What we need the most help with is our two dogs.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Animal Care
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
We live in Washington, DC and there are a lot of free cultural activities in the area. I could take a weekend to show you around, of course. In addition, the metro is a mile away and we have a car you could use.
We need someone to come and take care of our pets while we go through a busy time in our lives. We can give more details when we talk!
Languages spoken
German: Fluent
English: Fluent
Accommodation
We have a three bedroom home. We also have a guest room/family room. Since our oldest children are in college, you could stay in the guest bedroom or a children's bedroom which we now use as a guest bedroom.
What else ...
Again, DC is the capitol of the US and there is a large variety of things to do. We live in a suburb which is close public transportation, to the NIH and over 200 restaurants.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
This host has indicated that they love having digital nomads stay.
Space for parking camper vans
This host can provide space for campervans.
Can possibly accept pets
I have two dogs. They are not used to cats. I am open, but this would be the choice of my guest.
I stayed with Laura and Friedhelm for six weeks. I would walked their two dogs (Zoey and Milch), clean around the house, and then I would also cook dinners. I also have done yard work in the past, so I would mow and weed whack the front and back yard.
I stayed in my own area of the house, large space with a comfy pill out coach with many mattress… read more toppers on it. It also had a large table, big flatscreen TV, and my own bathroom.
The area is close to the metro station, a 22 minute walk and an 8 minute bike ride. I had a few friends in the DMV area, and Laura made sure that I had plenty of time to hang out with them. I went into DC/ left Bethesda about 5 days of the week. I had plenty of time to roam around DC (many of the museums are free there and if you are there for a while I would check out "DC4free" on Instagram.
Laura also made sure that I was able to see some wonderful parks in Maryland and we would talk about life, travel, our families, and anything we felt like, it was really nice.
I stayed at Laura and Friedhelm's house for six weeks. It was my first time solo traveling for such a long period of time and so far from home. They always made sure I had everything I needed and that I was comfortable. Friedhelm took me to the supermarket to buy groceries, and Laura gave me all the instructions and advice I needed to handle every… read more situation before they left.
Big up to Sebastian, their son, who got me out of trouble at the border and drove me from the airport to the house :).
I really appreciated that they always replied quickly to my messages, it was very easy to communicate with them whenever I had a problem or even just a simple question. I wish I could have spent more time with them so we could have gotten to know each other better, especially Laura and Sebastian, whom I only saw for a day. Friedhelm was home for about two weeks and even though he was busy at work he still found time to cook me great meals, to drive me to the grocery store and to the national park. I really apprecitated the moments that I shared with him.
During those six weeks, I took care of their two adorable dogs, Zoe and Milka. I kept the house clean and watered the plants and garden. Zoe can be stubborn at times, and Milka always wants attention and that’s what makes these two dogs so special and lovely. It was a pleasure to walk them and play with them in the house every day. I already miss them so much.
Their wonderful house is located in a pleasant neighborhood near Washington, D.C. I had plenty of time to visit the city, and everything is accessible by bus and metro.Museums in the Mall and the zoo are free which is amazing. Just be careful sometimes bus 47 doesn’t arrive on time or doesn’t come at all.
To sum up briefly: if you love dogs and want to visit Washington, D.C., this is the perfect place for you !
Thanks again to all three of you for being so welcoming and for giving me this incredible opportunity . Now I have a lot of great memories that will never fade away. <3
(Excellent
)
16 Jun 2024
Left by Workawayer (YUKINORI) for host
I used Workaway for the first time and stayed in a foreign country.
Laura and Friedhelm were kind to me as an English beginner. And Laura is an English teacher! Every day, she gave me an new word called Word of the Day. Friedhelm drove me around the supermarkets and showed me the cheapest ones. They are a wonderful family.
Plus, Zoe and Milka are… read more adorable. Zoe can be stubborn at times and Milka has a habit of putting everything in her mouth. However, they are more than adorable.
I have been to Washington DC many times and have been able to visit all the museums I wanted to go to, and my family has taken me to nearby national parks and trails. Thanks for so many memories!
They are a cosmopolitan, caring family. Would recommend to anyone who loves dogs and nature.
Thank you so much!
You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
I stayed with Laura and Friedhelm for six weeks. I would walked their two dogs (Zoey and Milch), clean around the house, and then I would also cook dinners. I also have done yard work in the past, so I would mow and weed whack the front and back yard.
I stayed in my own area of the house, large space with a comfy pill out coach with many mattress… read more toppers on it. It also had a large table, big flatscreen TV, and my own bathroom.
The area is close to the metro station, a 22 minute walk and an 8 minute bike ride. I had a few friends in the DMV area, and Laura made sure that I had plenty of time to hang out with them. I went into DC/ left Bethesda about 5 days of the week. I had plenty of time to roam around DC (many of the museums are free there and if you are there for a while I would check out "DC4free" on Instagram.
Laura also made sure that I was able to see some wonderful parks in Maryland and we would talk about life, travel, our families, and anything we felt like, it was really nice.
I stayed at Laura and Friedhelm's house for six weeks. It was my first time solo traveling for such a long period of time and so far from home. They always made sure I had everything I needed and that I was comfortable. Friedhelm took me to the supermarket to buy groceries, and Laura gave me all the instructions and advice I needed to handle every… read more situation before they left.
Big up to Sebastian, their son, who got me out of trouble at the border and drove me from the airport to the house :).
I really appreciated that they always replied quickly to my messages, it was very easy to communicate with them whenever I had a problem or even just a simple question. I wish I could have spent more time with them so we could have gotten to know each other better, especially Laura and Sebastian, whom I only saw for a day. Friedhelm was home for about two weeks and even though he was busy at work he still found time to cook me great meals, to drive me to the grocery store and to the national park. I really apprecitated the moments that I shared with him.
During those six weeks, I took care of their two adorable dogs, Zoe and Milka. I kept the house clean and watered the plants and garden. Zoe can be stubborn at times, and Milka always wants attention and that’s what makes these two dogs so special and lovely. It was a pleasure to walk them and play with them in the house every day. I already miss them so much.
Their wonderful house is located in a pleasant neighborhood near Washington, D.C. I had plenty of time to visit the city, and everything is accessible by bus and metro.Museums in the Mall and the zoo are free which is amazing. Just be careful sometimes bus 47 doesn’t arrive on time or doesn’t come at all.
To sum up briefly: if you love dogs and want to visit Washington, D.C., this is the perfect place for you !
Thanks again to all three of you for being so welcoming and for giving me this incredible opportunity . Now I have a lot of great memories that will never fade away. <3
(Excellent)
16 Jun 2024
Left by Workawayer (YUKINORI) for host
I used Workaway for the first time and stayed in a foreign country.
Laura and Friedhelm were kind to me as an English beginner. And Laura is an English teacher! Every day, she gave me an new word called Word of the Day. Friedhelm drove me around the supermarkets and showed me the cheapest ones. They are a wonderful family.
Plus, Zoe and Milka are… read more adorable. Zoe can be stubborn at times and Milka has a habit of putting everything in her mouth. However, they are more than adorable.
I have been to Washington DC many times and have been able to visit all the museums I wanted to go to, and my family has taken me to nearby national parks and trails. Thanks for so many memories!
They are a cosmopolitan, caring family. Would recommend to anyone who loves dogs and nature.
Thank you so much!
You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
(Excellent)
4 Jul 2021
Left by Workawayer (Ann-Kathrin) for host
I stayed at Laura and Friedhelm's house with one of the family's cousins. Primarily I took care of their two adorable dogs, helped with the lizard, and with small tasks around the house. I fell in love with both dogs since I very much enjoyed taking them for walks and caring for them. The family is amazing and welcoming, even though we could only… read more get to know each other a few days before they left. Additionally, I had plenty of time to explore Washington DC and the surrounding area. The location is great, close to the metro station from where the train takes you directly into the city with all the famous sights and museums. But also the beautiful trails in the area are perfect for bike riding. Thanks again for the wonderful chance to support you in this busy situation, I had a great time and hope to come back again.
You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
(Excellent)
28 Feb 2018
Left by Workawayer (Amrei & Leon) for host
Okay so to be honest, this was the exchange student experience we were dreaming of. This family is so awesome and caring. We were provided with delicious food, snacks and an own room with everything we needed. They had enough exercise to be done but were always okay if we didn't want to do one of them. They'll easily find another one.
It rather… read more felt like helping friends and family out than working to get food and a sleeping place.
Also they were always taking care so we wouldn't work too much and see all of Washington. And let us tell you, we totally have seen so much. We would say we've seen more than some of Washington's inhabitants :-)
We can't say thank you enough, but yet again thank you Laura and Friedhelm! We'll miss and remember you always.
Also their son is really funny and nice, you can joke around with him all day but you can find out yourself.
A big plus are two cute dogs and a beautiful but sassy cat. Gotta love them!
You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
(Excellent)
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If you are NOT a US CITIZEN and are planning to visit to work, volunteer or study, YOU WILL NEED THE CORRECT VISA. To find out more information you need to contact the embassy in your home country BEFORE travelling. Do NOT attempt to enter the USA without the correct visa!
Animal Care
