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6 Dec 2024
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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.Types of help and learning opportunities
GardeningDIY and building projectsAnimal CareCreating/ Cooking family mealsHelp around the houseGeneral MaintenanceHelp with Computers/ InternetCultural 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.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.Languages spoken
German: Fluent
English: Fluent
Spanish: Fluent
Dutch: FluentAccommodation
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.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.A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Feedback (27)
During work, I was amazed by Liz and Joop's extensive knowledge about dogs, which… read more
While she was here she was eager to learn about dogs and their behavior. Of course she worked *really* hard making sure to get the daily chores done but also managed to help us get our compost in the process of running again. There was never a task too… read more
Joop and Liz are so lovely and make your stay super comfortable and relaxed. We work hard in the mornings and then have the afternoons to do whatever you like!
I learnt a lot about dogs, got to see a lot of Aruba and… read more
I'm so late with giving feedback because it took me long to come to terms with the fact that my stay was actually over.
It's been over a year now that I left for my 2.5 month workaway experience, and I can't wait to go back! My heart aches every day for every single one of the dogs (some special love for Likitiki), and of… read more
Photos
Feedback
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Accuracy of profile:
(4.9)
Cultural exchange:
(4.9)
Communication:
(4.8)
During work, I was amazed by Liz and Joop's extensive knowledge about dogs, which… read more
While she was here she was eager to learn about dogs and their behavior. Of course she worked *really* hard making sure to get the daily chores done but also managed to help us get our compost in the process of running again. There was never a task too… read more
Joop and Liz are so lovely and make your stay super comfortable and relaxed. We work hard in the mornings and then have the afternoons to do whatever you like!
I learnt a lot about dogs, got to see a lot of Aruba and… read more
I'm so late with giving feedback because it took me long to come to terms with the fact that my stay was actually over.
It's been over a year now that I left for my 2.5 month workaway experience, and I can't wait to go back! My heart aches every day for every single one of the dogs (some special love for Likitiki), and of… read more
That toolbox is fairly good equipped, as there are lots of trades he knows a good deal about,… read more
Julian arrived as a polite, somewhat shy young adult. This was going to be his second WW experience.
His golden soul appeared soon and emerged over the weeks to a beautiful, valuable and proud young man with a… read more
But there a not just these two beautiful souls, there are also… read more
It's clear she has not only a lot of knowledge of dogs and their behavior but also about how to give their owners the right feeling when leaving their furred baby's with us.
Handling and playing with them just comes natural for her.
Doing the physical work… read more
The property is dog paradise ❤️! The dogs they care for are so well taken care of.
The dogs absolutely enjoy their time here which… read more
Bottom line is, when she contacts you for a volunteering position, IMMEDIATLY agree!
This girl brings the German work spirit, combined with a whole array of trades and skills to your place.
Seamlessly she fitted in our work ethic, became one with the crew, doing her jobs fast, with joy and pride, making proposals along… read more
I had such a great time with you guy's, i learned so much, not only about the dogs themselves, but also about myself. i can't thank you enough for that!
Because of the whole corona situation, i spent 7 months at the resort - We really grew together into a corona family, I was totally taken care of and felt at… read more
The… read more
Beside his knowledge about dogs he also love to share his other projects.
On the… read more
Joop has lots of experience with dogs and likes to share his knowledge. He is very patient with the dogs and… read more
2 People who are very, very likeable each of them apart and even more so as a couple!
This couple is what every host desires when volunteers apply for a stay. They are eager to learn, help and understand everything they get involved in. They want to know… read more
He made a true… read more
Joop was very welcoming and happy to leave you to freely explore the island when not working (whilst offering tours when wanted!). It's important to note that the… read more
He had to postpone his arrival to Aruba due to a small medical issue so he came 10 days later. He adapted fast to the work, the other volunteers, to the dogs and to us. He was a great guy to have. Did his jobs with joy and speed, always smiling and friendly. Aruba had his attention and he was really interested in its… read more
That could be the slogan of Tomasz and Karolina. A quick mail and the question “can we help you guys as we are on our way to Aruba. For more info on us please take a look at our profile” was enough to convince us. Their feedback was unanimously positive.
Tomasz is the cat with the 7 tails, he is an excellent craftsman on… read more
Joop is very kind person, patient , he likes to share his dogs-knowledge with volunteers. All You have to do is just ask and listening.
Karolina learned so much about dogs… read more
She was eager to do the work we asked of her, and did it with pleasure. Nothing was too much, too dirty or too difficult for her. She loved… read more
Eoghan was with us for 5 weeks. In that time we got to know him as a hard and steady worker. All of his tasks where done with joy. He was willing to learn new skills and specially understanding dog language was his favorite. He tried it immediately and was happily surprised when the dogs acted the… read more
Océane and Léo, our “French couple” we will never forget.
They spend 2 wonderful months with us.
For both of them no job was too heavy, dirty or too hot. They started and finished them with a smile and had fun along the way.
They are the prototype of youngsters you want to have in your… read more
We will never be enough thankfull to them for letting us be a part of their life in this way.
Gaby and joop are some uncredible people .. always there if you have a question. They took us to some place around the island, it was so much good time.
We will never forget this… read more
Yep, PERFECT !
Robin and Mike are 2 very warm, very nice persons, incredibly hard working -even in our desert climate-, highly self motivated, independent workers ones they know what to do, trustworthy and the list goes on and on. No job to heavy, difficult or dull, and ALL of them… read more
She works steady, constant, with a smile on… read more
I answered his inquiry one day and he booked his flight the next. And, we never regretted his decision for one second!
Michal is a very friendly, open and fast learning guy, a hard worker and quick thinker. And it always worked out well. He did all his… read more
Gaby's cooking was awesome and we enjoyed learning new culinary skills as well as eating her cooking! Both Joop and Gaby know a lot about dog… read more
All this while doing a great job at our resort. They both actively involved themselves in our household, both doing chores and cleaning jobs. Their enthusiasm while doing the garden work, painting the white picket fence or doghouses, digging enormous holes for our… read more
He showed to be an eager, fast learner, making the best of each and every one of his assignments, doing them with a smile. He took every job seriously, even going the extra mile when needed! As soon as he understood the system in working as a team member he took his place and thought… read more