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Host rating
100 %
Last replied
23 Apr 2024
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Details
Description
We are Jonathan and Debbie. We live on 9 acres with our 42 sled dogs and year round laying hens.
We are looking for someone to help with the kennel from May to the end of September. Occasionally there may be other farm work, such as crushing boxes, chipping wood, or working with the compost.
SPRING/SUMMER
Working with sled dogs is a strenuous job. You have to be able to haul heavy water buckets, deal with cutting meat, pooping the yard twice a day , lifting up to 50lbs and generally be very comfortable around the dogs. Our dogs are friendly and energetic and they LOVE to run. You will be welcome to try out dryland activities with the dogs, such as canicross(running with dogs) bikejoring(biking with dogs) and scootering(running a scooter with one or two dogs)
Someone who can show attention to detail in the kennel area is needed. There are also some kennel repairs and building to do.
There is a dry cabin with a wood stove for your living quarters. The cabin has wifi and water is found in our pump house. There is also a propane stove and a sink.
Gardening Work
We are also looking for someone who enjoys gardening. This would be someone separate from the dogs. Jonathan is growing fruit bushes for his future winery and also grows vegetables for home use. He uses hugelmounds and straw bales for this as our soil is not suitable for growing. .
About Us
Jonathan works full time in the Agricultural Branch of the Yukon Government. He loves board games and strategy games as a way to unwind. He also loves growing things, both animals and plants, and strives to give his animals the best possible life he can.
Debbie is a retired teacher and works as a Teacher On Call during the school year but is off for the summer. She loves reading, working with the dogs and relaxing. She's a little more laid back. We complement each other.
Combined we have 30 years of experience running sled dogs.
We live 40 minutes north of Whitehorse, Yukon, a short hike away from the beautiful Lake Lebarge surrounded by mountains and nature.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
General Maintenance
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
We enjoy sharing our lifestyle with travellers. We offer a fairly rustic lifestyle here although we are not too far from town. The life of a musher is one we love to share and Jonathan is passionate about his growing of plants and his animals.
Whitehorse is known for its artistic community and music scene as well as the history of the area. Agriculture and sustainable food sources are very much in the forefront in the Yukon and we are part of this endeavour in summer.
Also a trip to Dawson City would be a must, any time of the year.
The Yukon is huge with a very small over all population. Life is laid back and very much geared to the outdoors.(winter and summer)
Help
A sled dog kennel can be a very busy place. First and foremost is the care of the dogs. Watering, feeding, cleaning, running them(in winter) are all in a days work. It does take someone with an average level of fitness. If your average you will become above average as time goes on.
If you can show a high level of responsibility to the care of the dogs and the kennel we can teach you how to summer train the dogs.
In winter we will train you to run the dogs with the sleds and you can potentially run in some local races.
For the gardening Jonathan can teach you what he needs done. There is heavy work involved here too, at times. Having a vested interest in growing things would be an asset. Gardening is not for everyone.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Accommodation
We have a beautiful wall tent set up for living in for the warmer months. There is no electricity or water. However, water can be taken from our pump house and electricity can be delivered using an inverter and battery set up. There is a camp stove in the wall tent. We can provide you with your food.
Shower and laundry are at your disposal in the main house.
A wall tent is a canvas tent often used by hunters/trappers when in the bush. Ours is 17'by24'. We have built a tin roof over it and it has an insulated floor.
There is also a cabin, on site, with a very good wood stove and lots of wood around. The cabin has electricity and internet. You will have to get your water from our pump house. Food is provided.
What else ...
With the use of a vehicle (you just need an abstract and letter from your home insurance stating any accidents, and pay for the gas you use) you can explore the many hiking trails in the area. Cycling is big here with some impressive races being held. Mountain biking is also popular. Some very nice coffee shops also have extensive information on what is going on in town. There is so much to experience in the Whitehorse area and further north and west.
Whitehorse has a huge sports complex for reasonable daily rates. There is a great pool there as well as many fitness courses and even a skating rink.
If you love the arts there is a tremendous amount of art culture here.
A trip to Dawson City, the Dempster Hwy and Tomestone is also a must. (Although we do not generally offer the car for this trip) There is a Ride Share fb page to help you get around.
To experience the Yukon is to love the Yukon. It is still raw in its wilderness beauty.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
We have internet here and it is in the cabin. We will be working on hooking internet into the wall tent. If it is not yet hooked up when you get here you would have access in our downstairs area where we could set you up with a table and chair, at least until we get the hook up set for the wall tent.
Space for parking camper vans
Plenty of room for a regular sized van. Not so much for a large travel camper.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
Maximum 5 hours a day, 5 days a week
Feedback (4)
Once in the summer and twice in the winter.
For most of my stays I was "the bonus person" so not predominantly responsible for the dogs but rather all those other odd jobs that come with the kennel and the farm.
In the summer I was mostly chipping/cutting/collecting wood, helped with planting… read more
All the moments shared with the dogs had been wonderfull they are so lovely !!!
And finally Debby was really caring about how we… read more
Since leaving I have told countless people about this experience and feel privileged to have lived their life for a short time.
We ran teams of up to ten dogs by ourselves on the ATVs and side my sides. Lived in the charming log cabin and got to get involved in… read more
Feedback
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Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(4.8)
Communication:
(5.0)
Once in the summer and twice in the winter.
For most of my stays I was "the bonus person" so not predominantly responsible for the dogs but rather all those other odd jobs that come with the kennel and the farm.
In the summer I was mostly chipping/cutting/collecting wood, helped with planting… read more
All the moments shared with the dogs had been wonderfull they are so lovely !!!
And finally Debby was really caring about how we… read more
Since leaving I have told countless people about this experience and feel privileged to have lived their life for a short time.
We ran teams of up to ten dogs by ourselves on the ATVs and side my sides. Lived in the charming log cabin and got to get involved in… read more
Things were always done with a smile. These two love life… read more
