Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
27 Apr 2025
Reply rate
97.4 %
Usually responds within 6 days
Feedback
19
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Email verified
Badges (5)
Details
Description
Welcoming people to help with the land & home and 6 dogs!
I am 42 years old, a law professor and lawyer. I travel a lot and rely on the help of Isabel, housekeeper, and Andrea, a Colombian girl who first came through Workaway and then stayed (for about 2 years now) as a paid petsitter. Have been using Workaway for several years now, with great experiences.
The heart and soul of the house are 6 rescue dogs (Oli, Kat, Leia, Bilbo, Dalila and Sansao). They are the most important thing for me and my greatest source of happiness. They will soon be in a split custody arrangement, so they will be with me only half of the year.
*If you want to apply, please read this complete profile.*
Only people who are used to and very comfortable around dogs (big and small) will be accepted.
Only people who send personalized messages will be accepted. This means your message should show you've read the profile and give some reason(s) for why you would be a good fit.
The house is near Marco de Canaveses (Porto district). It is a beautiful countryside property with 4.5 hectars - lots of fruit trees, oaks, land to plant, 200 meters river front, a waterfall and old watermill, and beautiful woods to walk through. Workawayers will be expected to dedicate some time 5 days a week to helping take care of the land and home, and to spend time with the dogs, when they are here.
You will be a good match if:
- You have experience with dogs (especially rescue dogs). If you think dogs shouldn't sleep on beds with humans, that's a disqualifier. Some of the dogs are shy and not so social and will require time to trust you.
- You have experience with or passion for farm life
- You can handle house work (cleaning, vaccuming, cooking, etc) when it comes to taking care of yourself and enjoy peaceful countryside living
- A drivers license is a great advantage, as we are in a remote location (you would have access to a car you could use). Train station is 20 minutes walk away
Tasks can vary depending on your expertise, but will always include helping to take care of and playing with the dogs. Then there might be gardening, watering plants, collecting wood, chopping, cleaning forest & paths, cooking, painting, repairing and constructing, etc. Also open to language exchanges (teaching each other a language)
We welcome volunteers all year round. Possibility of hosting 1 or 2 persons at the same time. In the case of 2 people, both must be equally committed and meet the criteria mentioned above.
We provide a bedroom with private bathroom and we share the entire house (living room, kitchen, laundry, outside garden). In some cases, it may be possible for volunteers to stay in a smaller house also on the property, if they prefer to and the dynamics works well.
Only people who love animals and have experience with dogs are welcomed. If you are afraid of dogs or other animals, or if you feel dogs should be outside, or would never have a dog sleep with you, this house is not a good fit for you.
Flexible hours can be arranged, with days off. Whenever possible, it's nice to have meals together.
There is a very strict policy of no smoking in the house. If you do smoke, you will have to be very careful to do it outside and for it not to smell of tobacco in the house.
Much of this experience means living together, sharing experiences and talking, so it's useful if there is some affinity between us. It is very unlikely there would be affinity, and you needn't apply, if, for example, you:
- think COVID vaccines were/are a form of control
- during COVID refused to wear a mask and/or think it was silly and pointless
- don't want to get vaccinated or wouldn't have your children vaccinated
- believe in the healing power of crystals
- support authoritarian governments; or
- believe that everyone needs to pull themselves up by their bootstraps and universal healthcare is silly
More info about our Furry Family
The dogs (who sleep with us) are Oli, Kat, Leia, Bilbo, Dalila and Sansão.
Oli is the elder of the tribe, he is around 18 years old and he is not aware he is a dog. He is, in his mind, a person. This means he gets all the perks, except eating with cutlery. :) He has Addison's syndrome and takes pills (Astonin) everyday.
Kat, short for Katniss, is a 13 year old sweet calm princess with lots of curiosity about the world and lots of patience. She is very calm, but a little shy and very loving. She has Leishmaniose but has done her medication and she is clinically healthy. She loves (and demands!) her morning and nightly cuddles.
Leia is a 9 year old princess, who has been with us since she was a puppy. She loves running, playing, taking naps, and more running around! She has endless energy, is very scaredy and it takes a looong time and dedication to get her trust.
Bilbo literally showed up at our doorstep, lost. He is 6 years old, 28 kilos and is very smart, docile and protective. He gets along immediately with everyone, but is unaware of how big he is!
Dalila and Sansao were rescued from the forest, where they were born. They are 4, and suspicious of the world and of humans. They require patience and care.
All of them were abandoned or lost and are all rescues.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Language practice
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
I am an academic in Law and lawyer, fighting for consumer protection. I speak several languages and love to travel. I've lived in different continents and love to exchange stories and experiences, namely while sharing a meal.
Help
We need help with taking care of our dogs, land and home!
With six dogs, there is always something to do. Our land is very big and needs lots of care: watering, planting, caring, collecting wood, chopping, cleaning forest & paths, moving sand and soil, etc. It's the kind of place where there are always new projects that can be done.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Portuguese: Fluent
Spanish: Intermediate
French: Intermediate
Romanian: BeginnerThis 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
Room with private bathroom, sharing the rest of the house: kitchen, living room,garden, pantry, etc.
2 volunteers maximum per stay.
What else ...
We are 45m away from Porto by car, and there are trains from the village to Porto very frequently.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
Yes, we have good internet access.
Space for parking camper vans
This host can provide space for campervans.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Feedback (8)
Estou muito agradecido.
Hemos disfrutado de una casita independiente y de trabajo autónomo al aire libre con total libertad con los horarios.
Nos vamos felices y muy agradecidos.
It was a very nice but also relaxing time.
They leave you very free in the tasks you have to do and clearly indicate what they want. You get your own bedroom (with even a private bathroom!)
You also get a lot of your own time and know many tips for nice… read more
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Feedback
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Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(5.0)
Estou muito agradecido.
Hemos disfrutado de una casita independiente y de trabajo autónomo al aire libre con total libertad con los horarios.
Nos vamos felices y muy agradecidos.
It was a very nice but also relaxing time.
They leave you very free in the tasks you have to do and clearly indicate what they want. You get your own bedroom (with even a private bathroom!)
You also get a lot of your own time and know many tips for nice… read more
Her communications skills are great, she is always in good spirits, she is super respectful and bright.
I would definitely recommend Agata and would love to have her back as a volunteer anytime!
Laura and Miguel are lovely people and always make sure you have everything you need , and they have a very good spirit always happy .Laura made delicious food , wow still remember the Teryaky sauce 😋with salmon!
The job is super chilled and feels more like helping friends with some house duties , I really do… read more
I loved every moment of my stay. They welcomed me into their home and showed me how to enjoy life.
I loved waking up to a beautiful view breathing in the fresh morning air, walking up to the main house for breakfast being greeted by… read more
Meg joined us for one month - August - and left a Meg-shaped whole in our hearts.
She is sweet, social, committed, very hardworking, super organized and detail oriented, a great cook (oh, the sushi and the chocolate banana cakes....!), plus she is a 5 star photographer. She could easily have a career as… read more
Laura is an excellent physiotherapist and helped me a lot with my back problems as well. She plays the piano and gave both me and Miguel a few classes! Nuria is a doctor-to-be and we had many interesting chats about Catalunha, Spain, independence,… read more
They hosted me like an old friend in their house and always were nice and kind to me! Laura is such a beautiful and welcoming person and I really enjoyed my staying with her! Unfortunately Miguel was on his work trip, so we met only on the last day… read more
